Falling trees, fractals, and sophistry: some philosophical "biohazards" en route to reconciling biomedicine and homeopathy.

INTRODUCTION

Reconciling biomedical science and homeopathy might usefully begin by examining their various observational stances. This depends significantly on preconceptions about the nature of reality (e.g., whether it exists externally, independent of observers, or whether it is to some extent correlated nondeterministically with observation).

METHODS

Based on known observables, a rudimentary fractal model of the universe is proposed consisting of a series of self-similar integrated levels of reality, or "wholes" contained one within another like a set of Russian dolls. This model suggests possible contextualization of homeopathy and biomedicine's observational stances.

RESULTS

The fractal model bears compelling similarities to the ancient Hermetic tradition encapsulated in the phrase, "As above; so below." In the context of this model, homeopathy's observational stance includes a multidimensional range of symptoms from across several "levels of wholeness." In contrast, biomedicine's stance corresponds to exclusive observation of separate symptoms, each originating from one physical level of reality.

CONCLUSIONS

Pragmatic reconciliation of these two viewpoints is possible if it is realized that they are not contradictory but complementary; that each has its place in the therapeutic scheme of things, and that it should be possible to move freely between each type of observational stance as the patient's circumstances dictate.