Who are more closed-minded: sceptics or believers in alternate medicine?!
Question: after reading many responses regarding the viability of natural remedies, it seems we sometimes tend to abuse the opposing opinion because we think everyone is too close minded. so, this question is to see whether people would not only RESPECT other's beliefs, but also try to understand the why & how of alternative medicine AND science itself. the following points will be used to (hopefully) broaden a sceptic's limited knowledge, and inform the homeopaths of the logical wisdom of science!
1. science is observation. the placebo effect is apprently considered scientific because it has been observed with formal experiments regarding its effects.
2. homeopathy is apperently "not" scientific. even though observations are world-wide, archetypal, as well as globally observed.
3. the darwinian theory of natural selection is: "whatever is useless will be discarded by nature."
4. That's how both modern medicine AND homeopathy became so successful.
5. homeopathy has been around for longer =D
Answers: after reading many responses regarding the viability of natural remedies, it seems we sometimes tend to abuse the opposing opinion because we think everyone is too close minded. so, this question is to see whether people would not only RESPECT other's beliefs, but also try to understand the why & how of alternative medicine AND science itself. the following points will be used to (hopefully) broaden a sceptic's limited knowledge, and inform the homeopaths of the logical wisdom of science!
1. science is observation. the placebo effect is apprently considered scientific because it has been observed with formal experiments regarding its effects.
2. homeopathy is apperently "not" scientific. even though observations are world-wide, archetypal, as well as globally observed.
3. the darwinian theory of natural selection is: "whatever is useless will be discarded by nature."
4. That's how both modern medicine AND homeopathy became so successful.
5. homeopathy has been around for longer =D
I do try to be open minded when it comes to healing. Massage is good, reiki is good drugs are good.
When healing, whether it is a placebo effect or a chemical reaction, if there is healing, it WORKED.
i think neither...
everyone has a right to have an opinion, and their own beliefs..
I think the closed-minded people are those who a) believe in Western medicine and think that all alternative medicine is bunk, or b) believe in alternative medicine and think that all Western medicine is bunk. I've met both kinds.
Open-minded people are willing to consider the merits of both, preferably in the the light of evidence.
If your mind is wide open, your brains fall out. This is how crap like reiki, "crystal healing" and homeopathy continue.
Critical thinking is the key to intelligence.
Homeopathy is only one kind of 'alternative medicine'. I personally do not believe that it has any benefit beyond placebo, but I do believe that herbal medicine has a valuable place in society. I have treated myself with herbal medicine for years and it works far better than the prescribed meds from the doctor.
Don't confuse herbal medicine with homeopathy.
Homeopathy is bunkum as far as I'm concerned.
Herbs contain active ingredients which can be successfully used in a variety of diseases and conditions.
a conventionally trained doctor that is not closed minded and uses both modalities is really called a complimentary physician. He uses whatever type of treatment he deems best on an individual basis. You may need Lipitor to lower your cholesterol and someone else may get the recommendation to use a sugarcane bark extract called policosonol. Both work. This doctor has dual expertise and a good feel on how to use each .
You are using the term 'close minded' as if we are discussing some sort of religious belief here. Medical science is not a religious belief, and the only distinctions to be made are between those who have a medical education, and those who do not.
All properly conducted surveys of the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies have concluded that they have the same effect as any other placebo. Something which the highly divided homeopathic practitioner community chooses to ignore or deny.