Religion and Medicine from the Pre-Axial Age to Modernity

Religion and Medicine from the Pre-Axial Age to Modernity: An Introductory Reader probes the rich and varied intersections between religious beliefs and medical practices that have existed over time, grounding its approach in the influential concept of the Axial Age and relating it to modern biomedical advancements.


The anthology navigates through the evolution of medicine and religion from a historical and theoretical perspective. The text begins with consideration of the role of spirituality in the work and training of physicians and healers, as well as the nature and potential religious significance of the phenomena of health, illness, and placebo effect. It proceeds to cover connections between religion and medicine found in multiple cultural contexts, including traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and various Indigenous systems of healing. The book moves on to address how these two realms converge and diverge in contemporary developments such as organ transplantation, gene editing, palliative care, and the push for radical extension of the human lifespan, imbuing medical acts with religious significance and ethical complexity.


Religion and Medicine from the Pre-Axial Age to Modernity is ideal for courses exploring the history and philosophy of medicine, religious studies, and bioethics. It offers contextually diverse explorations that provide a framework for understanding the deeply intertwined nature of spirituality and healing throughout humanity's quest for well-being.