Details of the Initiative
What is ‘health’? This concept has gained particular emphasis in modern times. We often assume that being healthy means having a sound body and mind or being free from illness. However, as we move into an era of 100-year lifespans, it will become unrealistic to expect perfect health or complete freedom from disease throughout one’s life. Instead, living a long life alongside some form of disability or illness is likely to become the norm.
In this context, I believe further research is needed into diverse ways of living that fall outside traditional views of health. With this in mind, in 2025, we held a public lecture to explore a new perspective on health, bringing together philosophers and physical therapists. Physical therapists provide rehabilitation to those whose daily lives are impaired by conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, orthopedic disorders, or cerebral palsy. Philosophers, on the other hand, aim to unravel the meaning and richness of life. By collaborating across disciplines, we hope to redefine what it means to live with limitations or disease and propose a new concept of health.
