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Placebos and Placebo Effects: Making Sense of the Conceptual Confusion

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Handbook of the Philosophy of Medicine

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Abstract

Confusion around the concept placebo and its derivatives is widespread, and the aim of this chapter is to elaborate the nature of these concepts in medicine. The historical development is first described. The current understandings and conceptual problems related to placebo are then examined. Finally, ways to clarify the ongoing conceptual disarray are proposed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland

    Pekka Louhiala

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  1. Pekka Louhiala
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Correspondence to Pekka Louhiala .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Philosophisches Seminar, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Thomas Schramme

  2. Dept. of Politics, Media & Philosophy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia

    Mary Walker

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Louhiala, P. (2024). Placebos and Placebo Effects: Making Sense of the Conceptual Confusion. In: Schramme, T., Walker, M. (eds) Handbook of the Philosophy of Medicine. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8706-2_34-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8706-2_34-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-017-8706-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-8706-2

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Placebos and Placebo Effects: Making Sense of the Conceptual Confusion
    Published:
    13 January 2024

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8706-2_34-2

  2. Original

    Meaning and Use of Placebo: Philosophical Considerations
    Published:
    08 September 2015

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8706-2_34-1

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