The present volume is about philosophy of medicine and integrates philosophy of medicine as a chapter of philosophy of science. It is neither about bioethics, nor about the history of medicine, but it is comprehensive and encompasses the whole field of medicine including psychiatry. It is grounded on a first-order standpoint, and it strives to stay close to clinical or community medicine: it bestows an epistemological bottom-up account. It is not a review of the literature, and it is not intended to frame the debates, or to analyse and compare the various and substantial number of viewpoints although some authors' account may form the basis of the book when they fit into the development of its philosophical view of medicine.

Born in Brussels. Graduated in medicine from Brussels Free
University in 1952.

Internship in medicine in Brussels 1952-1956

Training in internal medicine at Memorial Hospital, Cornell Medical School 1956-1960

Training in epidemiology, at Memorial Hospital, Cornell Medical School, 1960-1961

Master's degree in hygiene, Harvard School of Public Health, 1961-1962

Assistant professor in epidemiology, Faculty of Médicine, Brussels Free University, 1962-1964

European Commission official, 1964-1985

Invited professor, Rome University La Sapienza, 1988-1990