O conceito de vida em Georges Canguilhem e as implicações para a clínica

Abstract

This work seeks to reflect on Georges Canguilhem's concept of life in order to think about the question of the clinic in contemporary medicine. To this end, we intend to follow the clues left by the philosopher in the constitution of this concept, through his historical epistemology, presented in his medical thesis, Essai Sur queques problèmes concerning le normal et le pathologique, in the texts published in the book Connaissance de la vie, as well as in articles, conferences, courses and manuscripts. In this way, we will try to show that the philosopher finds, in the concepts of technique and medium, two important ways of understanding life as a dynamic and normative activity. This journey through the concept of life will result in another objective of our work, namely the implications of this concept for the clinic today. Finally, we will point out that Canguilhem's reflections on the problem of life were aimed at thinking about medicine and clinical practice. He shows that, in modern times, medicine, which is increasingly scientific, gradually places clinical knowledge in the background, which consequently generates important anthropological implications. Our work will therefore seek to recover Canguilhem's questions in order to reiterate the relevance and timeliness of his thinking, by insisting on the importance of clinical knowledge as a constituent part of medical practice.