I like to interpret the phrase 'alternative medicine' as 'alternatives -to- medicine'.
On Jul 8, 2012, at 5:17 PM, Jim Clark wrote: > Hi > > Michael, that would be the Dr. Oz whose wife is into Reiki and who has > promoted misguided ideas about medicine? See (among others) > > http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/dr-oz-revisited/ > > There is no reason to endorse / accept alternative medicine, if that means > medicine that is unproven scientifically to be of benefit over and above a > placebo condition or it means medicine that is generally inconsistent with > well-known scientific knowledge (e.g., appeals to mystical energies). > > People who endorse these ideas in the name of cultural sensitivity need to > read more from Meera Nanda, who decries promotion of relativism by Western > liberals against the liberation provided by science (properly understood). I > would think someone like Michael might be especially disenchanted with such > irrational, nonscientific views as that some people come from the feet of god > and others from the head, hence justifying discrimination and the caste > system. > > >>>> "mjchael sylvester" <[email protected]> 08-Jul-12 1:01 pm >>> > Although I admire JC stance on adherence to scientific rigidity > re critical thinking,I do not necessarily agree that considering alternative > explanations as being void of critical thinking import. > JC seem to think that if it is not science,other impinging factors like > historical,social,and cultural imperatives are outside the scope > of explanations.I view critical thinking as a method to evaluate > flaws in arguments and even though flaws may be examined under the scientific > microscope,there still remains another guideline > to be reconciled with and that is "to tolerate uncertaibty". > Re medicine,one's choice should not be a point for discussion,however more > and more homeoprathic and herbal remedies seem to be advocated as adjunctive > treatments on Dr.OZ, > the Doctors and other shows.Critical thinking may have more to do > with not one's belief system but the "reasons" one give for his/her belief. > Paul Brandon Emeritus Professor of Psychology Minnesota State University, Mankato [email protected] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=18903 or send a blank email to leave-18903-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
