Various metaphysical concepts — those that transcend physical explanations or rules — have influenced the field of medicine throughout history and continue to play a role today. The understanding of how mental processes can affect physical health is a key example. This is evident in the field of psychosomatic medicine, which studies the influence of psychological factors on physical conditions.
While the practice of medicine is grounded in the physical body, the motivations and values that guide physicians often transcend physicality. The drive to heal, to alleviate suffering, and to improve quality of life are fundamental motivations for many in the medical field. These are not simply biological drives, but metaphysical ones, rooted in empathy, compassion, and a commitment to service.
For instance, consider the Hippocratic oath and similar physicians’ oaths, which include a commitment to the welfare of humanity. Physicians’ oaths encapsulate the metaphysical drive in medicine, highlighting the ethical and moral dimensions of the profession.
Virtually every American medical student swears some kind of oath, either upon entry to medical school or at graduation. Physicians declare their intentions to help those who place themselves in their care and the community at large, promising to serve humanity to the best of their ability by caring for the sick, promoting good health, and alleviating pain and suffering.
Furthermore, the practice of medicine also involves managing patients’ emotional and psychological well-being, recognizing that health is more than just the absence of physical illness, and that promoting a “health” care system over a “sick” care system is a moral imperative. This holistic approach to health underscores the metaphysical aspects of medicine.
The medical profession is not unique with respect to its metaphysical underpinnings. Throughout history, many philosophers, poets, psychologists, and even sports players have noted that our fundamental motivations and drives extend beyond the mere biological. They propose that these drives are essentially metaphysical, rooted in our consciousness, spirit, or soul, transcending our physical existence.
Poets, for example, with their innate sensitivity to human emotions, have frequently explored the metaphysical aspects of life. They have probed into the depths of love, fear, ambition, and despair, suggesting that these elements, which cannot be explained by biology alone, drive human actions. For instance, the Romantic poets like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge emphasized the spiritual and emotional aspects of human existence, often alluding to a deeper metaphysical reality. The Persian Sufi poet Hafez is often quoted as saying, “When all your desires are distilled, you will cast just two votes: To love more and to be happy.”
Sigmund Freud often expressed the view that love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness. Freud’s psychoanalytic theory acknowledges the influence of unconscious desires on human behavior, revealing a metaphysical dimension to our drives. Indeed, psychiatrists and psychologists have long recognized the importance of metaphysical drives. Carl Jung, for instance, posited the existence of a collective unconscious, a reservoir of shared human experiences that influence our behaviors and desires.
Sports players, although seemingly grounded in the physical, also acknowledge metaphysical drives. The desire to win, the will to persevere, the commitment to teamwork — these are all metaphysical drives that propel athletes to physical extremes. Michael Jordan famously said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Jordan’s words reflect the metaphysical aspects of sports, highlighting that it is not just physical ability but also mental strength and determination that lead to success.
The field of medicine, like poetry, psychology, sports, and many others is shaped by metaphysical drives. Whether it is the desire to heal, the commitment to service, or the holistic understanding of health, these metaphysical aspects play a crucial role in the practice of medicine.
Abraham Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs, which depicts physiological needs, such as food, water, shelter, and sleep at the base of the pyramid, also acknowledges the importance of “love and belonging needs” — friendship, family, intimacy, and connection. While our physical needs for food, shelter, and survival are undeniable, it is the metaphysical drives — the desire for love, the quest for knowledge, the will to succeed — that truly define us as human beings. These metaphysical drives shape our actions, influence our decisions, and ultimately, determine the trajectory of our lives.
Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA, is a former Doximity Fellow, a member of the editorial board of the American Association for Physician Leadership, and an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia. He is the author of several books on narrative medicine, including Medicine on Fire: A Narrative Travelogue and Narrative Medicine: Harnessing the Power of Storytelling through Essays.
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