Reason and Medicine

Language: English
Pages: 364


Back of The Book

This book is a treasure of information and deep insights. It has taught me a lot, particularly on the importance of philosophy and politics for medicine.

This book is brilliant and wise, full of unexpected insights, and a delight to read! It is the kind of rare book that only a practicing scientist with a deep awareness of medicine, therapeutics, politics and societies can write. A materialist framework is critical for understanding the history of any science, and this book is the most astute of any book I have read on the history of medicine. The science of physiology and the art of healing are merged in medicine and the author truly grasps the significance of both.

I stand in awe at the author’s encyclopedic knowledge, placing medicine in an economic and social context and ranging over several civilizations even while referring to many movies and their actors, and mentioning the name of the most recent Indian-origin recipient of the Nobel prize. At the same time, Dr. Varma remains true both to this political values and professional calling. The author underlines the explosive power of capitalism for good even as he recognizes its shortcomings. A superb Book!

Dr. Daya Varma’s book is fascinating, full of rich insights into the history, science, political economy, cultural and social aspects of medicine. It is a people’s history of medicine and refreshingly non-Eurocentric view of medical science.

The premises in the book are clearly spelt out, the arguments cogently put across, the style is lucid and examples from many situations familiar to the lay reader makes it a good buy.

 

About The Book

There is no such thing as Chinese, Hindu, Is