Skip Navigation

The Daily Dish - 2006-2011 archives for The Daily Dish, featuring Andrew Sullivan

In Sickness and In Health

By The Daily Dish
Jul 31 2007, 1:00 AM ET

Since I'm trying to write my marriage vows, the phrase is on my mind. Virginia Postrel sums up my own view of the matter which is that the traditional notion that "disease" has a bright line demarcating it from stuff about your body you just don't like or enjoy is, well, unconvincing. Or rather, it is as convincing as the distinction between smoking pot for health or for pleasure. The line between the two is a very blurry one. Why isn't a bad day as worth medicating as an upset stomach? Virginia:

Why not treat a biological condition you just don't like? (I'm assuming that you are directly or indirectly paying for the treatment.) We don't have to call Restless Leg Syndrome a disease to acknowledge that it disturbs some people's sleep and that those people would like relief. Contrary to what you may have heard, the only sort of character suffering builds is the ability to suffer--a useful ability in a world where suffering is the routine nature of life but not a virtue that makes the world a better place.

And suffering because you have an ugly face and want plastic surgery applies. Of course, this assumes you are paying for this yourself. Insurance needs some such line. I'm not talking about having your plastic surgery covered. I'm talking about not needing to be apologetic about it when you pay for it yourself.



Presented by

More at The Atlantic

Sarah Palin Brings Out the Barbs at CPAC Sarah Palin Ends CPAC With Rousing Speech
SNL's Zooey Deschanel Episode: 5 Best Scenes The 5 Funniest Sketches From SNL's Zooey Deschanel Episode
The Truth About income Inequality in America The Truth About Income Inequality in America
Will the Grammys Remain as Bizarre as Always This Year? Our Predictions for 'Music's Biggest Night'
What Do Republican Voters See in Rick Santorum? What Do Republican Voters See in Rick Santorum?
Special Report
Submit Your Photos of America at Work AP Submit Your Photos of America at Work
Send us your images of friends, family, and neighbors on the job. We'll publish the best. Read more ›
View All Correspondents

The Biggest Story in Photos

The Civil War, Part 3: The Stereographs

Feb 10, 2012

Subscribe Now

SAVE 59%! 10 issues JUST $2.45 PER COPY

Facebook

Newsletters

Sign up to receive our free newsletters

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)