Off Topic — HabitableZone

Off Topic » in reply to Ah, the Invisible Turtle Heads theory of psychiatry

Turtles all the way down...
ER — (archived)

In spite of their impenetrable Graeco-Roman jargon, psychiatry/psychology is not a science, it is at about the same level of development as medicine and surgery were when Harvey discovered the circulation of blood in the 1600s. There are few tentative diagnoses and even fewer effective treatments, and no unifying theory or professional consensus to guide and evaluate research. The field is in constant turmoil and swept by fads and controversy and disaggreement.

By itself, this is forgiveable, the mind is much more complex than the physical world, and no one can expect that progress in this field be as advanced as it is in chemistry or physics. But practitioners of these black arts have licenses and diplomas, they are allowed to treat the sick, testify in court, contribute to legislation, and they have enormous influence in our culture by inserting their theories into our literature and art and law and politics and education.

When bitten in the jungle by a poisonous snake, you go to the medicine man because he is the only one there with any local knowledge at all, and he is more likely to help you than doing nothing at all. But you are taking your chances, aren't you?

"Faith" is a fine invention
When Gentlemen can see—
But Microscopes are prudent
In an Emergency.

Emily Dickinson

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