For, medicine being a compendium of the successive and…
““For, medicine being a compendium of the successive and contradictory mistakes of medical practitioners, when we summon the wisest of them to our aid, the chances are that we may be relying on a scientific truth the error of which will be recognized in a few years’ time. So that to believe in medicine would be the height of folly, if not to believe in it were not greater folly still, for from this mass of errors there have emerged in the course of time many truths.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Medical knowledge evolves; current practices may be flawed, yet they contain enduring truths.
In simple terms: Medicine is imperfect but valuable.
Key Takeaway
Question and improve medical practices.
Themes
skepticism
science
progress
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- clinical decision making
- patient education
- research funding
- policy making
Key Concepts
epistemology
medical ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance trust and critique in healthcare?
- What mechanisms ensure medical errors are corrected?
A Different Perspective
Blind trust can hinder innovation and safety.