ABSTRACT
Analytic philosophy is by its nature a critical enterprise. Ideas, claims, commitments and organised structures from theoretical to social are turned around; each facet is examined for clarity, brilliance, flaws and promise. This critical stance is a guiding principle for this book. This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examine medicine philosophically. Given medicine's pivotal role in contemporary society, it is remarkable that philosophy of medicine has been a long neglected field. Ideas, claims, commitments and organised structures from theoretical to social are turned around; each facet is examined for clarity, brilliance, flaws and promise. The expositions, analyses and critical appraisals offered in the book are not idiosyncratic or fringe perspectives as the numerous references should make clear. A compelling analysis of the delay in interest by philosophers of science may include none of these elements but that requires further investigation.
