著者

岡本 天晴

出版者

日本医学哲学・倫理学会

雑誌

医学哲学 医学倫理 (ISSN:02896427)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.12, pp.111-117, 1994-10-01 (Released:2018-02-01)

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The distinction between general education classes and specialized classes has been discarded in the amendment of regulations for university curriculum (July 1,1991). As a result, universities can now draw up their own curricula. However, the amendment also stipulates that universities "must give specialized education to the students as well as to take appropriate measures to enhance broad knowledge and comprehensive ability to make decisions and to enrich the humanity of the students." Philosophy classes, as a part of the curriculum, should also be given at medical schools in line with the ministry's policy on curriculum compilation. Generally speaking, students take philosophy classes merely as one of the liberal arts classes (history of philosophy, introduction to philosophy etc.). The goal of the classes is to show students the various issues concerning philosophy. But it is also, if not more,important for medical students to acquire "broad knowledge" as is stipulated above: That is to say, to be familiar with the philosophical ways of thinking and to appreciate the world of philosophy, in itself, so that students develop the ability to see problems and to solve them on their own. Science, medical science included, has developed remarkably and has benefited people in many aspects. On the other hand,however, it has also over-defined and over-simplified the human existence to a point where science how endangers the very existence of human beings. We have become suspicious of the optimistic view that one day science and technology will solve all the contradictions of modern civilization. It is philosophy, based on liberal ideas, spirit and above all, human love that would enable people to evaluate modern civilization for what it is and to question the raison d'etre of human existence. I would like to discuss the role of philosophy taught in medical schools as an important part of general knowledge, and also to illustrate what the students might face in taking such classes.