summary philosophy A holistic perspective, however, requires the doctor to look at the "big picture" and view the patient's illness as an aspect of his or her lifestyle and personal circumstances. When using this perspective, a doctor may be able to identify other underlying causes of the illness. The doctor can interview the patient and get an idea of his or her situation. In the case of the patient with stomach problems, the doctor's inquiry into his or her habits and lifestyle may lead to the discovery that fatigue and stress may be factors that cause the illness. Knowing this, the doctor can advise the patient to make changes in his or her habits to reduce stress and eventually improve his or her well-being. Aholistic perspective can enable a person to step back and consider the general aspece beneficial to take one side or act as a mediator and try to reconcile all sides? Should we simply condemn a person who misbehaved in a video that has gone viral? Or should we reserve judgment until we get all the facts regarding what made that person act in that manner? Adopting a holistic approach in thinking encourages us not only to be more critical but also to be more considerate in dealing with others. A holistic view also gives rise to a more appreciative perspective about life, as we are able to look at life in its totality. This means that we try to understand a situation from different vantage points so we can see it more fully. Just as we savor food in its entirety and not pick out each ingredient and taste it, we experience and appreciate life in its entirety and not just its specific "flavors". All the positive and negative experiences in our life come together to give meaning to our existence, and we learn to appreciate our individual experiences as vital aspects of a larger and more meaningful life.