Ayurveda: Integrating ethics, epistemology and health

The thesis proposed is that spirituality, (i.e. the life-giving force in nature), is the essence of public health. Public health professionals in all specialities are concerned with improving, enhancing or protecting life and the forces from which we derive it. It is argued failure to recognize this has impaired progress in this field as professional attention has overly focused on scientific form at the expense of useful philosophical understanding. The basis for this misunderstanding is traced to the unlikely historical interaction of the Medieval Church, limiting the study of health scientists to only the somatic, and empiricist philosophy of science, reacting to Church dogma by endorsing a materialistic positivism as legitimate scientific method.;Major steps of historical progress in public health are outlined, followed by a delineation of various problems currently troubling the field and fields allied with it. It is proposed a number of unwanted consequences result from misguided scientific philosophy that emphasizes form over function. Arguments by various commentators are adduced to show functional problem solving truly defines the work of physicists and that this should serve as a model for all science.;Attention then turns to how some modern health practitioners feel there may be potential solutions to modern health problems in ancient health practices. The theory and structural basis of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian health practice cited by WHO commentators, is reviewed. Its structure is seen as closely aligned to modern physics and its usefulness in addressing early diagnosis, disease prevention and non-invasive treatment is considered. Quantum mechanical like models of the individual physiology and the extended social environment are proposed as possible explanations of how components of this ancient practice may achieve results as yet unreachable in Western health science. A Vedic model of public health is proposed based on being able to enliven quantum mechanisms in human physiology which are capable of inter-human interactions. The effects of treating HIV patients through Ayurveda is reviewed.;Modern anthropological research is considered on how pre-historic civilizations may have been more socio-politically advanced and halcyon than earlier thought true. The argument is made that ancient health traditions and practices may have more effectively integrated ethics, epistemology and health. It is proposed this may have been achieved by using techniques of acquiring knowledge which revealed the subtlest quantum mechanics at work in the individual and the universe. The experience of this revelation, at the same time, created a feeling of reverence for the processes and forces in nature which were recognized as bringing forth and sustaining life. This respect and reverence for life are seen as a prerequisite to truly committing to public health values.;Recommendations are made, including: (1) training health scientists in newer foundations of epistemology, that allow for greater consideration of intuition, consciousness, and spirituality in science; (2) reorganize health care, eliminating patchwork structures, so that protection and enhancement of life are made primarily to the profit motive; (3) analyze and address problems in terms of interrelated wholes rather than isolated parts; and (4) diversify treatment and modalities available to include indigenous and traditional health care to serve the diversity of communities in this country.