Philosophy And Medicine Indian Standpoint

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text "Philosophy and Medicine: The Indian Standpoint" by Hemant Shah, focusing on the Indian perspective:

The text emphasizes the intrinsic connection between philosophy and medicine, asserting that medicine, as a significant physical science, logically necessitates a philosophical undergirding. It briefly contrasts this with the Western medical evolution, tracing it from ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian practices through key figures like Hippocrates and Galen, to modern discoveries in anatomy, physiology, bacteriology, and psychology.

The core of the paper then shifts to the Indian standpoint on philosophy and medicine, primarily focusing on Ayurveda, the science of life.

Key Tenets of the Indian Standpoint:

• Philosophical Foundation (Sat, Cit, Anand): Indian philosophy, aiming for Being, Becoming, and Bliss, is intrinsically linked to medicine.

  • Sat (Being/Self): Philosophy deals with the "self," while medical science addresses the "embodied self," using the body as a means to understand and heal the self.
  • Cit (Becoming/Life/Conscious Force): Life is characterized by motion. Disorders arise from imbalances in this motion (acceleration or retention), and the aim of medicine is to re-establish order.
  • Anand (Bliss): Bliss is achieved when the self is in its natural, healthy state. Thus, the purpose of Indian medical science is to keep the self in its proper and natural state within the body, implying that suffering or disease occurs when the self is displaced.

• Ayurveda: The Science of Life:

  • Holistic Approach: Ayurveda is described as a science of "holistic living," dealing with the entirety of man rather than isolated organs or cells. It recognizes the interconnectedness of life and the cosmos.
  • Spiritual Essence: Ayurveda is presented as essentially spiritual in its approach, aligning with the broader Indian philosophical view of life as an integrated whole. This spiritual dimension, it is argued, differentiates it from systems like Allopathy.
  • Etymology and Origin: "Ayu" means life-span, and "Veda" means science. Ayurveda is the science of life, often considered a part of or co-existent with the Vedas. It has a mythological origin, tracing back to Brahma, the creator, and being passed down through divine physicians to human sages.
  • Continuity of Science: Ayurveda is not seen as a creation out of nothing but as a continuity of the science of life that has always existed.

• Eight Branches of Ayurveda (Ashtanga Ayurveda): The text lists the eight branches: general medicine, major surgery, ENT/eye diseases, psychiatry, pediatrics/gynecology/obstetrics, toxicology, rejuvenation, and aphrodisiacs. The mention of "occult (Tantra), metallic pathology and yoga" as also being part of Ayurveda highlights its expansive scope.

• Purpose of Ayurveda: The primary goal is the attainment of longevity, with a focus on a "happy" and "good" life, defined by freedom from disease, vigor, virtue, self-control, and beneficial actions towards others. The science aims to teach what is conducive to these four types of life (happy, unhappy, good, bad) and determine their duration.

• Central Theme: The Three Doshas (Vayu, Pitta, Kapha):

  • The fundamental principle of Ayurveda revolves around the three "vitiators" or "Doshas": Vayu (air), Pitta (bile), and Kapha (phlegm/lymph).
  • These Doshas, when balanced, maintain perfect health. Imbalance (vitiation or excess/deficiency) leads to disease.
  • The central theme and treatment in Ayurveda is the restoration of balance among these three life forces to achieve a healthy body and mind.
  • This concept is further supported by the Panch-Maha-Bhootas (five primordial elements: earth, water, fire, air, ether), emphasizing harmony within the individual and the environment.
  • Ayurveda recognizes a psycho-physical parallelism, where the mind and body are interconnected and influence each other.

• Causes of Disease:

  • Disequilibrium of the Doshas is the root cause.
  • This disequilibrium arises from disturbing nature's orderliness ("a-dharma"), stemming from the malfunction of intellect, will, and alertness.
  • Individuals are considered responsible for their diseases, with improper nourishment, overindulgence, idleness, negative emotions (anger, violence), and misuse of senses being contributing factors.
  • Other causes include the effects of time and the consequences of actions from previous lives.

• Diagnosis, Treatment, and Medicine:

  • Diagnosis in Ayurveda is comprehensive, including predisposing causes, indications, symptoms, and disease stages.
  • The physician is expected to be ethical and self-restrained, adhering to an oath.
  • Treatment is not symptomatic but holistic, aiming to purify the entire bodily system and address the root cause of imbalance.
  • Diet and drugs are crucial, with their efficacy determined by taste, potency, post-digestive effect, and special action.
  • The text mentions the importance of metallic pathology (Rasayana), with mercury being a significant element, requiring great caution and expert supervision.

• Occult (Tantra) and Yoga:

  • Occultism (Tantra): Viewed as a significant medical philosophy concerned with motion and cures through sound vibrations (Mantra). It introduces a different anatomical concept based on nerve plexuses (Chakras) and the "Maha-Kundalini" power, with the ultimate goal of harmonizing energy centers for health.
  • Yoga: Primarily discussed as a therapy. Its purpose is to prepare the body for spiritual communion, achieving health through breath control (Pranayama) and postures (Asanas). Yoga is recognized for its effectiveness in improving longevity, strengthening the body, and balancing the mind and self, with the potential to cure chronic diseases.

• Modern Science and Indian Medicine: The text highlights how modern science and humanistic psychology are increasingly recognizing the value of Indian medicine's integral and holistic approach.

  • Brain and Mind: Modern research on the brain and mind aligns with Ayurvedic concepts of the mind-body connection, food's impact on the brain, and the brain as the center of consciousness.
  • Sound Therapy: The efficacy of sound waves in therapeutic applications validates ancient Indian "Mantra vidya."
  • Water, Food, Allergy: Modern findings on the importance of water and the concept of food intolerance echo ancient Ayurvedic principles.
  • Depression and Stress: Ayurveda had elaborate understandings of depression and emotional stress and their impact on physical health, now being explored by modern science.

Conclusion:

The paper concludes by asserting that Indian philosophy and medical schools, including Ayurveda, Occult, Yoga, and Metallic Pathology, share a spiritual nature and a holistic approach. These systems are not contradictory but complementary, all aiming to restore health and bring about bliss. Indian medicine is presented as both science and philosophy, functional and transcendental, making it unique. The author emphasizes that this exploration of the Indian perspective does not devalue other medical systems, acknowledging their progress and successes. The underlying unity and interconnectedness of the universe, a fundamental view of Ayurveda, is also reflected in modern scientific discoveries.