Medicine and Philosophy

Why did you choose to add philosophy? 

Because with my medical degree, I'll become a doctor. And being a doctor means working with people. Part of that is understanding what it means to be human. Medicine teaches you a lot about how the human body works, but it doesn’t really explore what it means to be human. I thought I might find those answers in philosophy. And so far, I haven’t been disappointed! Philosophy asks much more fundamental, deeper questions. I find it incredibly fulfilling to explore the many layers philosophy offers in understanding different aspects of being human. This is central to both my medical and philosophical studies. 

I think every person wears a kind of lens through which they see the world. That lens is shaped by experiences, culture and context. Philosophy allows you to try on different lenses, those of other people and reflect on your own. The beauty of that is it lets you see the world from many perspectives, which leads to a richer understanding of life. That’s something I find deeply satisfying. It’s helpful not just professionally but in every aspect of life. Philosophy has many dimensions, and I think it's simply beautiful how it shows us both how we shape ideas and how ideas shape us. 

What is philosophy? 

Big question! I think the literal meaning is “love of wisdom,” and that’s not a bad place to start. But to me, philosophy is about examining everything. It’s about looking deeper at history, thought processes, the assumptions behind our ideas and objects, everything around us. It’s about never taking anything for granted.  Philosophy is, for me, a way of looking at the world through multiple layers. That’s its essence. 

Do you think there's a special relationship between medicine and philosophy? 

Absolutely. Someone once said that medicine is the most scientific of the humanities and the most human of the sciences. As a doctor, you don’t just deal with people, you work with people at their most vulnerable. Illness often brings deep existential questions. Philosophy, among many things, asks what it means to be human and what shapes our understanding of reality. So as a doctor, you're often encountering people when they're being most philosophical. I think being trained in both areas helps me connect with patients in a much deeper way. 

To what degree or in what way did philosophy change you? 

Many things I thought I knew now rest on a different foundation. For example, I’ve started thinking very differently about what it means to be ill, which is personal to me. But more broadly, it’s changed the way I think about knowledge, law, responsibility… I’ve become more aware of the assumptions we make when we talk about these concepts. 

Is there anything you want to add to this interview? 

Let me think. A friend at the gym recently asked me, “Why do you even study philosophy?” And I told him: philosophy is like going to the gym, but for your brain instead of your muscles. That made him laugh. In general, what I really love about philosophy is that it's like peeling the layers of an onion. You uncover deeper and deeper layers of reality. I find that deeply satisfying. I truly believe philosophy enriches life on a fundamental level, for everyone.