Philosophy: An Off Label Prescription

Abstract

I am glad for the opportunity to contribute to this inaugural occasion. I feel compelled at the start to acknowledge the pluck and imagination of the editors for having invited a philosopher to record some thoughts in the first issue of The University of the Incarnate Word Pharmacy Review. Pharmacy and philosophy are not readily associated with one another: the first is regarded as a highly practical discipline, whereas the second is often thought to be bound in abstraction and speculation. These are oversimplifications, however, and in spite of the ostensibly practical difference between them, pharmacy and philosophy share some interesting historical and conceptual affinities. Moreover, both are subjected to a measure of doubt or mistrust in public opinion, and there is a curious contrast in the allegations that underlie this mistrust. (abbreviated)