Benign magical thinking
Article Abstract:
The failures of science in disease management is not uncommon and this seems to prove that the history of medicine is a series of errors through which research continuously evolves. There have been cases, on the other hand, that patients find 'magical thinking' more effective. Magical thinking comes in many forms, including thoughts that fit the patient's wishes, prejudices and political beliefs, the use of lucky or magic numbers and dates, belief in over-achievement, prophecies, omens and spontaneous generation. Magic thus offers some certainties that even scientific knowledge cannot explain.
Publication Name: Perspectives in Biology and Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0031-5982
Year: 1997
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Complementary therapies and healthcare practice
Article Abstract:
Conventional Western medicine presents one way of looking at the body which is rooted in its separation from the mind. The Western approach dates from the 17th century and has underpinning philosophical assumptions. Western medicine perceives the body as a complex machine, but the specialism evident in medical practice reveals that it views the body as an assembly of parts rather than an integrated whole. Complementary therapies have always operated in the UK. They have stayed largely outside mainstream medical thinking, but they have become increasingly popular since the 1970s.
Publication Name: Nursing Times
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0954-7762
Year: 1997
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The role of military strategies in medical thinking
Article Abstract:
Military strategies analyzed by Sun Tzu in his book 'The Art of War' can be applied in the context of medical practice. Sun Tzu advocated knowing oneself and the opponent to win in war whereas proper care and treatment of a patient in medicine necessitates adequate knowledge of the disease and the physician's limitations. Thus, concepts in strategic thinking have their similarities as applied to war and medicine.
Publication Name: Perspectives in Biology and Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0031-5982
Year: 1993
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