ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the book. The book describes strong arguments for a more humanized way of understanding health and its place in people lives, and outlines some of its features, and joins a growing movement to go beyond people current chemical/mechanical orientation. It describes the prominent roles played by philosopher scientists as Paracelsus, Francis Bacon, Rene Descartes, and John Locke. The book focuses on Robert Boyle as a central figure in seventeenth century science. Boyle's health status as a patient and his scientific collaboration with numerous colleagues led to the launch of the mechanical model of the body. The book also describes the acceptance of the model by a growing research community and its application to experimental developments in medicine and surgery. It outlines the beginnings of such a model and provides the need for a collective effort to accelerate its articulation and promotion.
