When ill, we want a name for our condition or an answer to what is the matter. And Western medicine makes it look as if, with sufficient technology, all can be solved. But the character of illness and disease is more puzzling and unknown than we suppose. The stark fact of the matter is that despite the successes of Western medicine, in 50% of cases, there is no evidence for the effectiveness of treatment. Illnesses are experienced very differently by different individuals and some argue the name fails to identify an underlying cause, resulting in over-diagnosis. A 2010 study showed up to 60% of lung and prostate cancer diagnoses identify cases where no symptoms and no death would appear if left untreated.

Should we discard the idea that diseases are well-defined entities and give up the demand for an illness to be given a name? Are there aspects of modern medicine that have strayed too far from the holistic understanding of the past? Or should we trust that, over time, medical progress will correctly name and solve all our conditions and ailments?