Philosophy for medical students - Why, what, and how

Abstract

In this paper the author's biographical choices and experiences of both medicine and philosophy are first described. Then, the concept of philosophy is briefly examined with special reference to medical education. Finally, various ways of teaching philosophy to medical students are illustrated in the light of examples from the author's own teaching. It is argued that, whatever the form of teaching, somehow the content must be linked to the everyday medical world of the students.