TY - JOUR
AU - Duncan, Grant
AB - AbstractThe English word ‘pain’ is commonly used by lay people in a ‘messy’ life-world of imprecise meanings. It has a complex etymology, including legal and political uses as ‘punishment’. Understandings of pain in the political theory of Hobbes and Bentham are summarized. This wider historical and philosophical account of the uses of ‘pain’ means the IASP definition can be seen in relation to medical history and to present-day clinical challenges. We can consider the misunderstandings that may occur between clinicians and pain sufferers, and the ways in which ‘pain’, although ‘subjective’, is inescapably a political concern. Using Wittgenstein’s approach to meaning, however, we can envisage a context-sensitive and flexible approach to communication about pain.
TI - The Meanings of ‘Pain’ in Historical, Social, and Political Context
JF - The Monist
DO - 10.1093/monist/onx026
DA - 2017-10-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/oxford-university-press/the-meanings-of-pain-in-historical-social-and-political-context-zf5aWzfLfe
SP - 514
EP - 531
VL - 100
IS - 4
DP - DeepDyve
ER -