Mirage of Health: Utopias, Progress, and Biological Change

by René Dubos

'Complete freedom from disease and from struggle is almost incompatible with the process of living, ' Rene Dubos asserted in this classic essay on ecology and health. All the accomplishments of science and technology, he argued, will not bring the utopian dream of universal well-being, because they ignore the dynamic process of adaptation to a constantly changing environment that every living organism must face.

Genres: Health, Medicine, Philosophy, Science, History, Medical, Sociology

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

René Jules Dubos was an American microbiologist, experimental pathologist, environmentalist, and humanist. He is credited as an author of the maxim, "Think globally, act locally".

Reviews

[Alyssa Neto · Rating 5 out of 5]

An academic read that is thoroughly not formal. Dubos writes with access for the layman in mind. Kind of the microbiologist version of "He's Just Not That Into You", Dubos explains how freedom from disease is, well, a mirage, because a Utopia is a static state and humans are anything but. Most of our moves toward progress have unexpected disadvantages and these efforts are largely based in social and philosophical ideals rather than biological or otherwise scientific need or benefit. He makes no value judgement on these efforts, but works to shine the light of reality on our condition, one he supports through numerous, familiar examples.

Progress means change; change and risk are inextricably linked.

[Kirstie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting facts and insightful analysis for which I give the book 4 stars. I take a star off as it was a somewhat difficult book to follow, largely due to the wide territory it covered, and also the language style which was a strange mix of straightforward and almost impenetrable. It was written in 1959 which may explain this to an extent. It showed me up as being a bit of an impatient and lazy reader unfortunately, or maybe just lacking the smarts required to breeze through and easily integrate all the knowledge!!

[Zayn Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of two important books my father read before heading off to India in 1978 with Mom and baby me to pursue a degree in homeopathic medicine. Full of rare insight into the nature of health and the social aspects of disease, only dated by his stately formal prose and classical allusions. We live in the future he predicted.

(The other was Medical Nemesis by Ivan Illich)

[Autumn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was an assigned reading for one of my classes. The subject is interesting and thought-provoking, but the book was hard to follow. Granted, it was written 50+ years ago, so the language is much more formal.
I really enjoyed reading Dubos' theories, though. It changed my way of thinking about public health and has gotten me to stop comparing health to that of an 'utopian society' that doesn't exist.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

very solid academic read

[Elysa Leap · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it’s above my head!! Learned people have always felt like if we were with nature we would be healthier and really we are healthy bc of sanitation