TO THE QUESTION OF PAIN AS A PHYSIOLOGICAL, ONTOLOGICAL AND EXISTENTIAL CATEGORY. PHENOMENOLOGICAL APPROACH

Abstract

Pain is a constant companion of life, inseparably connected with the phenomenon of being. Even at the present stage of development of neurophysiology and philosophical anthropology, pain remains an insufficiently studied phenomenon. It especially concerns a true notion about its origin and the existential aspect. Remaining a constant component of the relationship between doctor and patient, the phenomenon of pain, and the problem of anesthesia provokes medical, ethical and philosophical disputes. There are two main types of pain: nociceptive and neuropathic. Their differences are caused by sources. Nociceptive pain is a consequence of activation of receptors of the peripheral nervous system, painful stimulus due to tissue damage. Neuropathic pain is a consequence of impairment or dysfunction of the central nervous system and peripheral nerves. Mental pain is seen as a state of total encompassment by an event, experiencing which «I belong to him so much that I literally lose my self in him, and become «not myself» because of excitement, fear or grief. Grief, excitement, fear replaces myself». But the opportunity to survive from this pain means an opportunity to overcome, to cross. Thus, the experience of pain — is its overcoming, the battle against it. However, the battlefield also includes the body, if we take into account many diseases provoked by the loss of oneself caused by mental pain. We have undertaken a consideration of the concept of pain, not only from the point of view of neurophysiology and the phenomenon of the relationship between doctor and patient, but also as an existential and empathic act. Pain closely connects the phenomena of being, compassion, co-communication. Being one of the properties of our existence, involving us in being and not allowing us to distract and dissipate, the pain causes suffering to us and our loved ones, who are compelled to experience it with us. Relieving suffering and pain is one aspect of medical duty, however, often for the sake of our healing, in the process of treatment, the doctor is compellingly hurting us. Total anesthesia, like our inability to feel pain, can lead to a loss of empathy and eventually of humanity as such. We can only overcome the pain of another one sent as a message, with the help of empathy and imagining suffering. Such an opportunity in particular can be given to us by a work of art, when we transfer our own experience of perception into relationships with other people.