Medicine is based on science. But it’s not all science. There are phenomena that occur that physicians simply cannot explain. Folks recover from devastating illness, for example, when the medical professionals were resigned to another fate. And while doctors and scientists rely upon the scientific method and medical evidence, the public has a wider reservoir of tools for healing and support. Sometimes physicians do as well. Hope and prayer are in heavy use every day even though these actions fall outside of the traditional scientific paradigm.
All rational creatures behave irrationally at times. It is still true that many hotels will not
have an official 13th floor in order not to spook superstitious
guests. Crazy or good business practice? Some may even say it is not rational for a
scientist to be religious claiming that science and faith pose a conflict.
Patients and the rest of us often pursue a course of action
because we want to believe it will help us.
Why do you think that the probiotic industry – as one example – enjoys
monumental commercial success? Similarly,
much of the complimentary medical arsenal has not been adequately tested to
prove their claims, and yet they are widely popular.
A few days before writing this, I walked past a cemetery and
saw a woman standing before a grave. As
I came nearer, I could hear her speaking.
As no one else was with her, I realized that she was communicating with
a loved one who had left her some time ago. For her, this individual was not
out of reach. Is this rational? Hardly.
But it was supremely human, a moment of pathos and poignancy that made
an impression upon me. It was an action that I am sure made her feel better demonstrating that there are various paths to healing.
Not everything has to 'add up'. We cannot represent our lives on an Excel
spread sheet. And while I will continue
to let science guide me in my professional endeavors, there are other arrows in
my quiver that I may reach for from time to time.
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