Original paperNew approaches within the history and theory of medicine and their relevance for homeopathy☆
Introduction
Basic research in medicine is commonly associated with laboratory, clinical, and epidemiological studies undertaken by highly specialised natural scientists. However, under the postmodern conditions of late capitalist societies, the assessment and development of medicine is no longer reserved to medical experts alone. Instead, a multitude of actors, from lawyers and politicians to economists and traders, are shaping the future of medicine. Accordingly, besides the natural sciences, the humanities are increasingly gaining relevance to observe and eventually supervise the many changes to which medicine is subjected at present. To be sure, within the social sciences basic research is also necessary and, in fact, under way. Against the background of relativism of values and crisis of authority, today every science permanently has to question and reassure its own basis, scope, and destination. Generally, a high level of dynamics in any field may signify problems, but also good prospects – for those who know how to profit from them. In particular, within the currently changing scientific landscape, homeopathy is being challenged to find and redefine its appropriate place – potentially with the help of new approaches within the history and theory of medicine.
Since its founding by Samuel Hahnemann (1755–1843) some two hundred years ago, homeopathy has accomplished impressive achievements. Examples being the curing of countless diseases, individually as well as in epidemics,1 popularity among millions of patients all over the world, political successes, professionalisation and institutionalisation,2 and scientific research, from case studies and clinical trials to basic laboratory research.3 Nevertheless, recognition and full appreciation by conventional medicine is still lacking.
How can this paradox be explained, how can it be resolved? The thesis suggested in the following is that conventional medicine's rejection of homeopathy's claim of being a scientific medicine stems mainly from an inaccurate understanding of the scope, task, and limits of sciences, and their appropriate status in our lives. On the other hand, if we actually take all sciences as tools for cognition and practice, rather than as authorities forcing us to subdue ourselves under their implicit reductionist world-view, and if we apply their critical approach to themselves, to their specific methodology and limited horizon, up to the point that they reveal their own presuppositions and restricted validity, we may regain a fresh and uncaged look upon reality.
Section snippets
Theory of medicine
Starting with the most certain and least disputed fact among homeopaths: Homeopaths are practicing homeopathy, are they not? But what does this mean, what are they actually doing? Is a simple, general answer possible at all – or is any answer dependent on theory?
The usual assessment given by conventional medicine, the science closest to and yet most uncomprehending of homeopathy, reads approximately as such: Homeopaths are not using material medical substances, but ultramolecular dilutions.
History of medicine
But how is it that this most advanced and scientific view of the human being is nothing like as well known and widespread in the medical community as the conventional, comparatively trivial, materialistic one? To answer this second paradox, the medical and natural sciences have to be put aside for a moment and the social and moral sciences, the humanities, considered as well.
From the perspective of sociology, humans are social beings, i.e. they associate and socialise, building up societies –
Homeopathy
Having realised this, as a third paradox the question arises: How is it possible to both recognise and free oneself of this all-embracing dominance of thinking in terms of money – if this really has infiltrated, and gained control over, everybody's mind and logic.
At this point, today's homeopaths are being challenged to ask themselves the question: “What does practicing homeopathy mean for me?” As a matter of fact, it is from this same issue that most essential questions may arise, such as:
Conclusion
In conclusion, being true to Hahnemann may have even more challenging consequences than just prescribing homeopathic remedies. First of all, his righteous and strong character may inspire his followers to dare to think freely and independently (aude sapere). Secondly, a comprehensive interpretation of his principle of similars may lead them to an extensive study – by means of all modern sciences – of the conditions which are limiting and distorting their own free and genuine thinking and
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Cited by (2)
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Revised version of a paper presented at the 66th Congress of the Liga Medicorum Homoeopathica Internationalis in New Delhi, India, on 3 December 2011.