Erfahrungsheilkunde - aus schulmedizinischer, naturheilkundlicher und anthroposophischer Sicht

Abstract: From the analysis of the term "empiric medicine" and especially the different scientific as well as philosophic interpretations of the term empiric", entirely different starting points are emphasized. In this case the polarity terms like matter and form, mind and matter, man and nature turn out to be helpful.In the field of traditional medicine "empiricism" refers to the general observation and evaluation of courses of a disease as well as to therapeutical techniques and especially the pharmaceutical sector. It is the aspect of matter or substance respectively, which is in the focal point with respect to its effect on certain symptome of a disease. The coincidence in the chemical laboratory often plays an important role in this case. The terms cause and effect are very important in this respect.The rank of empiricism in the field of naturopathy is different. Primarily the human entirety is in the center, which can experience help by drugs in certain cases only indirectly. The naive realism of scientific empiricism (= nominalism of the scholasticism) is contrasted by the reality of life in a patient as a biological experience (= realism of the scholasticism). In the context of traditional medicine experience means a method which is provable statistically or numerically, but its rank for the disciplines of naturopathy, especially for phytotherapy and homoeopathy is different. It rather has a confirmative character.This is even more explicit in anthroposophical medicine. lt occupies a special position, because its starting point is not the aspect of substance but rather the aspect of mind. Therefore it makes possible the conception of a new picture of man and a homogenous view of man and nature, Confirmation or correction by the experience with the patient is necessary too. Therefore the anthroposophical rnedicine tries to find the right balance between spiritual experience and substancial experience, between man and nature, as it already was the endeavour of Aristotle.

Keyword(s): Erfahrungsheilkunde

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