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Reconsidering sense: towards a theory of medieval preventative medicine

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Abstract

In this short reflection, I suggest that the premodern idea of prevention mirrored the working model of prudence as an intellectual and practical virtue. This exploration involves understanding the moral, philosophical, and psychological underpinnings of prevention and re-establishing the importance of basic questions about what was considered communicable, preventable, or even an illness. Preventative medicine in the Middle Ages has been discussed to date in terms of behaviour. A theory of medieval preventative health would encompass underlying intellective and moral frameworks. This response finally calls for further enquiry into this under-examined area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of English, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Kathryn Crowcroft

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  1. Kathryn Crowcroft
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Crowcroft, K. Reconsidering sense: towards a theory of medieval preventative medicine. Postmedieval 8, 162–169 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41280-017-0044-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41280-017-0044-4

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