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Accidents Quote by Francis Bacon

“Medicine is a science which hath been (as we have said) more professed than laboured, and yet more laboured than advanced: the labour having been, in my judgment, rather in circle than in progression. For I find much iteration, but small addition. It considereth causes of diseases, with the…” quote by Francis Bacon
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“Medicine is a science which hath been (as we have said) more professed than laboured, and yet more laboured than advanced: the labour having been, in my judgment, rather in circle than in progression. For I find much iteration, but small addition. It considereth causes of diseases, with the occasions or impulsions; the diseases themselves, with the accidents; and the cures, with the preservation.”

Francis Bacon

About This Quote

Source Essay: Novum Organum, 1620

He critiques medicine as overly theoretical, with many cycles of small changes but little real progress.

In simple terms: Medicine repeats small steps without big breakthroughs.

Key Takeaway

Seek deeper, systematic research beyond incremental tweaks.

Themes

science medicine progress methodology

Mood

critical analytical

Type

philosophical inquisitive

When to use this quote

  • clinical trials
  • public health policy
  • research funding

Key Concepts

epistemology incrementalism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What would a truly progressive medical approach entail?
  • How can we break out of circular research patterns?
A Different Perspective

Complex diseases may need paradigm shifts, not just iterations.

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