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A Philosophy of Flu — Fluosophy?
I am sick therefore I am . . . something else . . .
This week I have been afflicted with flu. No, not COVID, though I suspect I did have that back in 2020. This is just the normal “common cold.” This past week I have slogged through my days with only enough energy to perform the most basic tasks. I am mostly recovered now and back to work, though, of course, I never stopped philosophizing.
As I lay in bed one day nursing my symptoms, it occurred to me that philosophy has largely, if not completely, ignored the experience of illness. I suppose that is a result of too many philosophers not being at all interested in real life and people’s experiences. Such a shame. It is their loss, and humanity’s loss.
The State of Illness
Illness is a part of life and being ill is an experience that we can look at phenomenologically. We consider being healthy to be normal and being ill to be abnormal. We seldom notice our state of health when we are healthy, but when we are ill, that state can easily dominate our every perception.
Having flu clouds our perceptions. Things taste and smell different. Hearing is more difficult. Of course, breathing is disrupted, and speaking can be difficult and unpleasant.
