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Homeopathy 2014; 103(02): 153-159
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2013.08.007
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2013

New approaches within the history and theory of medicine and their relevance for homeopathy

Josef M Schmidt
Institute of Ethics, History, and Theory of Medicine, University of Munich, Germany
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Further Information

Publication History

Received22 October 2012
revised26 July 2013

accepted27 August 2013

Publication Date:
22 December 2017 (online)

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Conventional sciences have brought forth a wealth of knowledge and benefits, but they have not always been clear and precise about their legitimate scope and methodological limitations. In contrast, new and critical approaches in modern sciences question and reflect their own presuppositions, dependencies, and constraints. Examples are quantum physics, theory and history of science, as well as theory and history of medicine, sociology, and economics. In this way, deprecative dogmatism and animosity amongst sciences ought to be lessened, while the field opens up for each science to redefine its appropriate place in society. This would appear to be a chance for homeopathy, as new approaches, especially within the social and economic sciences, suggest that being a follower of Samuel Hahnemann (1755–1843) may have advantages and privileges that conventional medicine seems to be lacking and whose relevance was overlooked during the rise of economic thinking in the last two centuries.

Keywords

History of medicine - Theory of medicine - Homeopathy - Samuel Hahnemann - Social sciences - History of Economics
 

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