Quality of Life -

A Post-Pandemic Philosophy of Medicine

By Robin Downie

Imprint-Academic - £14.95

If the challenges we fear be thus irresistible, what remain but to acquiesce with silence, as in the other insurmountable distresses of humanity? It remains that we retard what we cannot repel, that we palliate what we cannot cure.

Samuel Johnson – 'Ethics in Public Policy.'

At least one third of GP appointments are, in part, due to isolation. Through community resilience programmes creative arts can have a significant role in enabling well-being in communities.

Dr Jane Povey - 'Social Prescribing, Positive Health & the Role of the Arts'

That this fair and ultimately very well considered book ''argues for greater equity in the distribution of resources and the benefits of a wider evidence-base for medical treatments,'' should come as a refreshing boost to that of the compass of morality.

It really ought to not go amiss amid the seethingly corrupt corridors of current power either.

Naturally it will. I very much doubt that Messrs. Johnson and Javid have even heard of Quality of Life - A Post-Pandemic Philosophy of Medicine. Although given the continuing, trajectorial enormity of Covid-19, one would readily (although mistakenly) assume they would make it their so-called 'jobs' to know about this most necessary of books.

That it abides by philosophical reasoning to a point of nigh utmost imaginative persuasion, is something which is very obviously alien to Britain's lard-bag of a PM – but hopefully not the rest of us.

In fact, common sense within the parameters of morality, is herein addressed throughout.

One pertinent example being Robin Downie's assertive allegiance to that of eitiquette: ''Perhaps 'small morals' are just matters of etiquette and not morality proper. Perhaps, but there is a fine line between etiquette (let's call it courtesy or good manners) and morality proper. Both involve sets of rules and conventions which have evolved to assist the smooth running of society. Rules of etiquette, or good manners, can of course change more easily and vary more widely in different cultures and social settings than rules of morality. For example, the practice of shaking hands has been affected by Covid-19, and it is a matter for individual judgement whether first names should be used or not. The wearing of ties is also a sartorial convention, perhaps on the way out. But that again is a matter of judgement.''

Such simplicity within the gravitas of Covid itself, might strike some readers as a little light-weight, but the mere fact that Downie is prepared to address etiquette so head-on, is to be applauded. And it very clearly is: ''The pandemic has brought into sharp focus the need for a wider view of health and disease which encompasses not only the medical sciences but also ethics, philosophy, the arts and humanities… This important book could not be more timely as we navigate the huge challenges and opportunities ahead'' (Dr Katie Amiel, GP, The Bigger Picture Project, Co-editor of These Are The Hands: Poems from the Heart of the NHS, RCGP Well-being Committee).

As light begins to emerge at the end of what has been a very dark and dangerous tunnel, this straight talking, no-nonsense appreciation of life itself (hence the book's title) should be considered an acute, if not very worthwhile accompaniment.

David Marx

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