Philosophical musings on Quanta & Qualia; Materialism & Spiritualism; Science & Religion; Pragmatism & Idealism, etc.
Post 128. May 7, 2023
Evolution of Pseudoscience
Cycles of Science & Religion
In the may/june 2023 issue of Skeptical Inquirer magazine, post-grad Samit Ghosal describes Ayurveda -- Indian traditional medicine -- as a dangerous trend to “decolonize the scientific method”. Such resurrected ancient systems of medicine & treatment are often characterized as “pseudoscience”. But Ghosal also notes the political & philosophical aspects of pre-scientific approaches to health. He says that Ayurveda (lit. life knowledge), and similar movements, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, and New Age spirituality, link “rationality and modernity with 'coloniality'”. So, there is an obvious political motivation aimed at European political dominance of other cultures. Likewise, other anti-colonial trends since WWII, may also be a rejection of the underlying materialistic worlview that developed out of the European Renaissance. However, were the ancient beliefs actually irrational or just primitive science?
In addition to specific empirical procedures, the Enlightenment scientific method promulgated a philosophical attitude of in-dependent rational thinking, instead of dependent emotional obedience to established Authority. In practice though, social authorities held both political and religious power over the common people. And still do to this day. Most of the sheeplike masses follow their leaders passively, but an independent-minded minority would occasionally rebel against the autocracy of the ruling minority. Thus, the philosophical & scientific Renaissance was soon followed by religious Reformations and political Democratic movements. In medicine, the science rebels began to question the authority of medieval witches & shamans ; instead, they looked even farther back to ancient Greeks, such as Hippocrates & Galen. Likewise, the return to rational Science, was actually a revival of ancient Greek Philosophy, harking back to Plato & Aristotle.
And so it goes . . . . in cycles. The rational Science of an early era loses-out to the updated doctrines of a later era, which then devolve over time into dogma, yet later re-emerge in a new socio-political environment¹. For example, esoteric objective evidence becomes less persuasive (to non-experts), and is pushed aside by subjective symbolism (like cures like). On the other hand, for some ailments, faith healing eventually proves to be less effective, in the long run, than less dramatic but more pragmatic methods. But then, as the luster of technological medicine wears off, the austerity of rational treatment became a turn-off to those seeking both sympathy and remedy.
Obviously modern science is very effective in producing technical tools such as cell phones. But for dealing with human psychology, some ancient methods remain effective. That may be due to Placebo effect², but even modern medical treatments are largely dependent on the attitudes & beliefs of patient & doctor. The question I’m positing is this : perhaps what we commonly call "Pseudoscience" is more of a difference in general philosophical worldview than in specific facts?
2. Placebo : mind over matter in modern medicine Within medical science and popular culture, the term placebo refers to a sham intervention that may produce an effect without a biologic rationale. This effect is rarely recognized as a legitimate response, and often downplayed. However, in Placebo: mind over matter in modern medicine, Dylan Evans generates a convincing hypothesis that the placebo produces a biologic effect through suppression of the inflammatory cycle. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2391024/
3. Use of Placebo in Clinical Practice : Physicians can produce a placebo-like effect through the skillful use of reassurance and encouragement, thereby building respect and trust, promoting the patient-physician relationship, and improving health outcomes. https://code-medical-ethics.ama-assn.org/ethics-opinions/use-placebo-clinical-practice
4. Are placebos still prescribed? : Although the use of placebo interventions outside clinical trials without full informed consent is generally considered unethical, surveys in various countries show that many physicians prescribe “placebos” in routine clinical practice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6108457/
Aconite (wolfbane) : Despite containing poisonous chemicals, it's used as medicine. Aconite root contains chemicals that might improve circulation and decrease pain, ... https://www.drugs.com/npc/aconite.html
Phrenology evolved into Psychology, Alchemy evolved into Chemistry. Spiritualism evolved into Materialism
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