Public Health: A Philosophical Approach

Abstract

This article explores the philosophical foundations of public health through the lens of Social Philosophy and their manifestation in India’s National Health Policy 2017. Social Philosophy, with its emphasis on common good, equity, and the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world as one family), provides a normative framework for addressing contemporary global crises such as inequality, fundamentalism, environmental degradation, and terrorism. It advocates holistic, justice-oriented, and ecological approaches that integrate values of fraternity, compassion, and human dignity. Complementing this perspective, philosophical debates on health, naturalistic versus holistic, highlight the dual nature of health as both a biological state and a value-laden human experience. The National Health Policy 2017 embodies these approaches by emphasising equity, universality, pluralism, patient-centeredness, and accountability, while also drawing on ecological and preventive orientations. Yet, while the policy is philosophically rich, implementation challenges persist, particularly in translating ideals into practice. The article reviews and analyses these convergences to argue for a value-based, integrative approach to public health policy and practice.