The limitations of science (The limitations of science)

by David Turell , Thursday, February 18, 2010, 13:53 (5394 days ago) @ George Jelliss


> I presume the scientology video at the end is just some sort of cruel coincidence - or else inspired advertisement placement - or is it some form of irony? -Some websites are crassly commercial.)
> 
> I totaly agree that many branches of science tend to be sealed off from one another and the general public by their jargon. This is why appointments such as "professor of the public understanding of science" are important and worthwhile developments. I've always tried to maintain a wide overview and not get too drawn into specialisms, although that is unavoidable to some extent. There is no point in knowing everything about one small corner and losing sight of the overall picture. That's why I say science is just a part of philosophy.-My first night of medical school I opened the anatomy guide. Every sentence required the medical dictionary. Reading five pages required two hours! It took about two weeks for me to be able to read at a normal pace. And in practice it required the ability to use ordinary vocabulary and medical thinking to communicate with patients, so they could understand their problems. I've observed doctors who could not accomplish that trick.