AN ANALYSIS OF THE SELF OF THE WESTERN PHYSICIAN - A STUDY ON THE EVOLUTION OF HOMO HIPPOCRATUS

This paper is about western physicians in general, and the Israeli var iant in particular. The theoretical focus will be on the nature and dy namics of the medical professional self within this interplay between the cultural concepts of universality and difference. The discussion w ill address the genesis of this professional self and the implications of its extraordinary strength and tenacity, which has endured for cen turies in different local contexts wherever western medicine has exist ed. The impetus for this study is the subdued rumbling which is echoin g throughout the profession suggesting that this self is no longer the ''Rock of Gibraltar'' that it seemed in the past.