Al-Juhany, Ahmed (2025) Why We Should Not Characterize Aging as a Disease. Philosophy of Medicine, 6 (1). pp. 1-24. ISSN 2692-3963

Text Al-Juhany-Final.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (727kB)

Abstract

Many scientists and philosophers characterize aging as a disease. In this article, I argue against doing so. Characterizing aging as a disease would likely exacerbate age-based discrimination, perpetuate beliefs that undermine our health, and embolden medical professionals to treat their patients unjustly. It would risk these harms without promising any benefits that would be substantial enough to make up for them. If we aim to avoid risking harms unnecessarily, we should not characterize aging as a disease.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Al-Juhany, Ahmed ahmed.aljuhany@ucalgary.ca 0009-0003-2714-6587
Keywords:	Aging, Ageism, Disease, Health, Harm, Geroscience, Pragmatism
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Medicine > Health and Disease Specific Sciences > Medicine
Depositing User:	Professor Alex Broadbent
Date Deposited:	13 Sep 2025 12:33
Last Modified:	13 Sep 2025 12:33
Item ID:	26645
Journal or Publication Title:	Philosophy of Medicine
Publisher:	University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
Official URL:	https://philmed.pitt.edu/philmed/article/view/238
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.5195/pom.2025.238
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Medicine > Health and Disease Specific Sciences > Medicine
Date:	9 September 2025
Page Range:	pp. 1-24
Volume:	6
Number:	1
ISSN:	2692-3963
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/26645

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Altmetric.com

Actions (login required)

View Item