Science, technique and human body—rethinking the transplant in cardiothoracic surgery

The purpose of this short essay is to show the cultural framework in the practice of transplantation in cardiothoracic and in general surgery. Although cardiac and lung transplant surgery and also technology developed exponentially in the last decades, they are not the only factors that should be taken into account. More important is the role the Philosophy played in surgery and in its development. In fact, the modern history of western Philosophy has allowed the development of Technology and Science in contemporary and speci cally cardiothoracic should be thought today in a larger and most interesting philosophical and anthropological perspective.