Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T06:59:55.424Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Human health in nature – towards a holistic philosophy of nutrition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Klaus Michael Meyer-Abich
Klaus Michael Meyer-Abich*
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy of Nature, University of Essen, Germany
*
*Corresponding author: Email [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Objective

To explain how the philosophy of nutrition is part of the philosophy of health. To show that this link allows practical solutions for equity and sustainability.

Method

An analysis of the historical philosophies concerned with nutrition and health. A comparison of the definitions in the history of mind from antiquity to the beginning of the twenty-first century.

Conclusion

We are not individually healthy, but we are so in togetherness, even with animals and plants. Comprehensive nutrition science has physical, social and environmental attributes. It follows that nutrition is good for the enhancement of good company with human beings as well as with the connatural world. We recognise that we owe to others what we are and this constitutes the equity of being.

Keywords

Philosophy of nutritionCultural dimensionsPhilosophy of healthVegetarianismConnaturalityHolism
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 8 , Issue 6a , September 2005 , pp. 738 - 742
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2005

References

1Galenus, C. De sanitate, tuenda. In: Kühn, CG, ed. Claudii Galeni Opera Omnia, vol. 6. Hildesheim: Olms, 1965.Google Scholar
2Plato, . Timaeos, . In: Eigler, G, ed. Werke in acht Bänden (writings in 8 volumes Greek/German), vol. 7. Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 1972.Google Scholar
3Hippocrates, . Ancient Medicine. In: Jones, WH, ed. Hippocrates, vol. 1. Cambridge, MA/London: Harvard University Press/Heinemann, 1923.Google Scholar
4Plato, . Politeia [The Republic]. In: Eigler, G, ed. Werke in acht Bänden (writings in 8: volumes Greek/German), vol. 4. Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 1971.Google Scholar
5Maslow, AH. Motivation and Personality. New York: Harper & Row, 1954.Google Scholar
6Marmot, MG. Social inequalities in mortality: the social disease mortality. In: Wilkinson, RG, ed. Class and Health: Research and Longitudinal Data. London: Tavistock, 1986; 21–33.Google Scholar
7Rose, G. The Strategy of Preventive Medicine. Oxford: University Press, 1992.Google Scholar
8Evans, RG, Barer, ML, Marmor, TR, eds. Why are Some People Healthy and Others Not? The Determinants of Health of Populations. New York: Aldine de Gruyter, 1994.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9World Health Organization (WHO). Life in the 21st Century – A Vision for All. Geneva: WHO, 1998.Google Scholar
10Meyer-Abich, KM. Revolution for Nature – From the Environment to the Connatural World. Cambridge, UK: The White Horse Press, 1993.Google Scholar
10Meyer-Abich, KM. Revolution for Nature – From the Environment to the Connatural World. Denton, TX: University of North Texas Press, 1994;Google Scholar
11Meyer-Abich, KM. Praktische Naturphilosophie – Erinner-ung an einen vergessenen Traum [Practical Philosophy of Nature – Recollection of a Forgotten Dream]. München: CH Beck, 1997.Google Scholar
12Fromm, E. To Have or to Be? New York: Harper & Row, 1976.Google Scholar
13Goethe, JW. Torquato Tasso. In: Trunz, E, ed. Goethes Werke, vol. 5. München: Verlag CH Beck, 1981.Google Scholar
14Schmithausen, L. The case of vegetarianism – a Buddhist perspective. Journal of Indian Philosophy 2002; 12(1): 309–29.Google Scholar