Abstract

The article discusses the problem of health, little studied in philosophical discourse, but which is of key importance in the modern agenda. Insisting on the interdisciplinary nature of the topic and the special role of medicine, the authors emphasize the decisive role of the metaphysical, humanitarian approach. Health is, first of all, a philosophical category and should be studied in the context of metaphysical universals God - man - soul - body - life - death. Spiritual health is the first and unconditional prerequisite for physical health. Harmony with the surrounding world, with society, with humanity and the harmony of soul and body are created by communion with the spiritual Primary Source. The article provides a historical and philosophical reconstruction of the concepts of health in the teachings of Eastern and Western thinkers, and, at the same time, healers of society, nature and man. This is Hippocrates, "the father of medicine", the founder of scientific medicine and the author of the famous aphorism "the best doctor is also a philosopher"; his Roman follower, surgeon, doctor of emperors and gladiators, who brought the thesis of Hippocrates to life, Claudius Galen. And of course, in the ancient area, the authors refer to the judgments about the health problem of the "divine" Plato with his teacher Socrates, as well as to the encyclopedist, Plato's student Aristotle. A special page is the Islamic civilization with faith in a single Creator who created the world and man according to his magnificent plan. Here appear the titans of thought and action - the famous philosopher, scientist, mathematician, logician, astronomer and healer Abu Nasr al-Farabi and his student, whose works determined the paths of philosophy and medicine for many centuries – Abu Ali Ibn-Sina.

In the Western world, the concepts of health were substantiated in the German classics: Immanuel Kant approved the need for a philosophical attitude to health, and Hegel, insisting on the spiritual content of the category, emphasized the spirituality of the human body. The article also analyzes discussions on the problem of health in modern philosophy. A position is distinguished, according to which the philosophical, value discourse becomes the leader, and health fits into a number of unusual categories. Instead of a list of "malaise, illness, medicine, doctor, pills, surgery", etc. a list of "culture, values, creativity, life world, activity, communication" appears. In a pandemic situation, philosophical research on health issues is of particular importance.