On Medical Truth

Abstract

Since the advent of the natural sciences, natural scientists have spread the idea that the pursuit of truth about the facts of the world is the main drive of scientific research. The aim, they say, is to acquire knowledge and to provide explanations and predictions of phenomena and events. Surprisingly, even in our contemporary world in which scientific research is strongly involved in seeking solutions to the practical problems pertaining to the pursuit of food, water, energy, health, labor, peace, war, nuclear weapons, and the like, the pursuit-of-truth postulate nevertheless enjoys vigorous advocacy, especially in philosophy (see Goldman , 2003). In this chapter, the role that truth actually plays in medicine will be examined.