--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Now, if doctors were aware that medicine…" description: "\"Now, if doctors were aware that medicine was not a science and that they were pulling what is undoubtedly the largest and most successful confidence tr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51b/vernon-coleman-72675_applied-science_now-if-doctors-were-aware-that-medicine_2252214.png" --- # Now, if doctors were aware that medicine was not a science… ![“Now, if doctors were aware that medicine was not a science and that they were pulling what is undoubtedly the largest and most successful confidence trick ever tried the damage would be fairly minimal. But the problem is compounded by the fact that the vast majority of doctors believe the lie that…” quote by Vernon Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51b/vernon-coleman-72675_applied-science_now-if-doctors-were-aware-that-medicine_2252214.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51b/vernon-coleman-72675_applied-science_now-if-doctors-were-aware-that-medicine_2252214.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51b/vernon-coleman-72675_applied-science_now-if-doctors-were-aware-that-medicine_2252214.png) > “Now, if doctors were aware that medicine was not a science and that they were pulling what is undoubtedly the largest and most successful confidence trick ever tried the damage would be fairly minimal. But the problem is compounded by the fact that the vast majority of doctors believe the lie that they are taught; they believe that they are scientists, practising an applied science.” Vernon Coleman ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Doctors often claim scientific authority despite medicine's empirical limits, leading to overconfidence and potential harm. **In simple terms:** Medicine isn’t fully scientific; doctors act as if it is. Key Takeaway Question the scientific basis of medicine. Themes science medicine confidence overconfidence Mood skeptical critical informative Type essay critical philosophical When to use this quote - patient care - medical education - policy making - public perception Key Concepts philosophy of science medical ethics public health Questions to Reflect On - How can patients discern scientific truth? - What reforms could improve medical honesty? A Different Perspective Science may be overstated, but practical outcomes still matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Applied science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/applied-science/) [Damage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/damage/) [Doctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor/) [Doctors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctors/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) ## Related quotes > [The vast majority of doctors really do try to take the money out of their minds. 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