Androcles' philosophy: Principles and dilemmas of veterinary medicine and animal health sciences

Androcles' philosophy explores the basic principles underlying veterinary medicine and animal health sciences. This cannot be explored without looking at the significance of animals in our society. Animals have many roles, from companion animals to sport animals, as laboratory animals for scientific purposes and as animals for food production. The complex relationships of animals with science, people, society, especially the economy and even ecosystems make their position precarious. As our time places high demands on the health and welfare of animals, for both their own good and that of humans, there is an urgent need to reflect on our scientific capabilities to solve and expand these challenges.

First of all, the book explores the scientific principles in this area. What are its laws, theories, principles, hypotheses? How do we acquire knowledge? How do we know what we know? What is evidence and how is it obtained? Are there differences in the quality of the evidence? What is the use of reasoning and obtaining evidence? What insight into pathobiological mechanisms do we need?

We then look at the uniqueness of the profession: animals, and how society, and thus we, deal with animals and their diseases, the functions that animals fulfil for people, and the duties and tensions that come with this.

Finally, the author discusses the social significance of the profession. The profession of veterinary medicine and animal science is unique in that good animal health and welfare serve a multitude of interests and values, ranging from individual animal welfare to human health, ecosystem health and a range of economic interests. To meet so many and so diverse, sometimes conflicting needs, the veterinarian has to be an equilibrist. The author argues that the profession can acquire its greatest significance by ensuring an optimal peaceful coexistence between humans and animals. This means that animals can optimally fulfil their meaning for people without their well-being or quality of life suffering. To this end, veterinary medicine must rest on a solid scientific philosophical foundation.