WHAT MAKES MEDICINE SCIENTIFIC ??

WHAT MAKES
MEDICINE SCIENTIFIC
?
Dr. Remya Krishnan MD PhD (Ay)
Associate Professor , Ayurveda

Scientific method – AS CONSIDERED TODAY
 Make observations
 Check whether the observation is consistent
with the current theories
 Formulate new hypothesis
 Test new hypothesis
 Check whether new hypothesis is better
explanation based on statistics .
 Adopt new theory based on new observations

Unscientific method – AS CONSIDERED
TODAY
 Make new observation
 Check whether the observations match with
what you expected to see
 Any chance of getting better results
 If yes, develop a new way of getting right
results
 If no, your observation is flawed .

Scientific / Unscientific
 Today ,both “scientific “ as well as “ unscientific
methods “ are based on existing theories and
tested hypothesis .
 “Scientific” could get transformed to “unscientific
“ and vice versa also , any time.
 The method used for examination of scientificity is
“probability “ based.
 In clinical research, the object of examination is
“living body “and its response with high degree of
variability in accordance to individual cause and
circumstances .

Scientific method, today
 Scientific method is considered today as an
unending process of observation and refinement .
 But it is important to know that the knowledge
acquired by observation is dependent on the
knowledge required for observation.
 For eg, to observe an elephant , we need to
know about the fundamental nature and laws
pertaining to a living elephant.
 If we observe an hippopotamus as elephant
based on the information in current theory
AND CONTINUE RESEARCH , not only that we
are misled , but also misleading others.

Fundamental theorems
 So there should be fundamental theorems and
laws to guide “what to observe “, “how to
observe” , “where to observe” , “why to
observe” and “when to observe “.
 There should also be fundamental laws and
theorems (proven, established and confirmed )
which explain the fundamental nature and
behaviour of the subject of examination for
guidance and reference in every stage of
observation .

Hypothesis versus educated
guess
 Hypothesis is guess work based .
 If research is initiated from theories (
incomplete proof) and not theorems (complete
proof) , formulating a series of hypothesis is
only possible. Conclusion is impossible
 Research initiated from true science aims at
arriving conclusive knowledge based on
atleast that specific problem.
 Research initiated from true science do not
shift from probability to probability.

Methods of experimentation
 The methods of experimentation of modern
science is observation (data analysis) and
statistical reasoning.
 This is because Modern science constitutes
theories based on testing random observations
owing to lack of solid theorems and laws as
validation base .
 The method of experimentation of Ayurveda is
Prathyaksha (sensory perception), Anumana (
assumptions) and Yukti ( science based rationale
)
 All these methods are guided by basic science of
Ayurveda [siddhanthas (theorems) and

Standardised techniques
 Prathyaksha –Knowledge led prathyaksha .
(Knowledge gives guidelines for what to look
for, why, how, when , where and how).
 Anumana – Knowledge led anumana
(Knowledge provides substratum for making
assumptions)
 Yukti – Knowledge led yukti ( Knowledge
provides substratum for reasoning and arrive
at conclusions)

Scientific techniques
 As these techniques are appropriately led by
unbiased concrete fundamental knowledge
(science) , these techniques are “scientific” .
 The interpretation of results obtained by these
techniques are led by methods explained in
the fundamental knowledge (science) itself .
 These techniques are the inbuilt scientific
ways of showing that the theorems are the
best “proofs” to guide research.

Scientific method in
Ayurveda
 Starts from knowledge (Basic science)
 Basic science led Observation
 Basic science led Assumptions
 Basic science led logical Reasoning
 Basic science led Conclusions

Scientific method
 Make observations which are consistent
with science.
 Experiment the cause(s) -mechanism(s)
behind the observations in human being by
diagnostic and treatment principles of
Basic science .
 Arrive at solid conclusions and explore the
cause- mechanism- effect by accurate
standards of science based assumption
and reasoning .
 Optimise the application of theorems to
new requirements specific to individual.

 Scientific method is a process by which we try
to understand how the natural and physical
world /humanbeing works based on the laws
of nature and how it came to be that way.
 For that, we require basement knowledge of
nature of humanbeing and his nature of
response to changing environment
 Science is Objective = Not influenced by
feelings, interests and prejudices; UNBIASED

Quality control for science before
medicine
 Quality control is required for science (knowledge
) first before its application .
 Different scientists may get different solutions
to the same problem ??????
 Are they unbiassed?
Results can be influenced by the race, gender,
nationality, religion, politics or economic interests
of the scientist.
• Sampling or measurement bias can result in
different solutions to the same problem

Objectivity
 Objectivity is the key to good science.
 To make objective, the findings are to be
accurately appraised based on standardised
knowledge devoid of uncertainity .

Objectivity
1. Same results yielded by the same
rationale, when applied in identical
circumstances
• 2.Clearly demonstrable by
standardised science based
experimentation –assumption -
reasoning techniques and conclusion
• 3.Permanent valid conclusions .

Scientifically proven?
 Scientifically proven- Proven by science
(rationale), not statistics (data).
 Scientific conclusions well clarify the science
of particular situation in specific .

Science of human “being”
 True sciences of humanbeings possess inbuilt
appraisal techniques for validation.
 True sciences of humanbeings do not need to
incorporate alien appraisal techniques from
outside.
 The mechanisms in a living body cannot be
precisely estimated by application of inert
sciences.
 The mechanisms of a living body in its own
unique circumsances could be best estimated
by the complete “ Science of life “ ( Ayurveda)

Unscientific observations
 Technology only aids in observations .
 Science appraises the observations by science
based reasoning techniques.
 Science based reasoning techniques are devoid
of probability as they are based on laws of
fundamental nature of man.
 Every individual observation requires science
based reasoning of its own circumstances .
 Generalized population -data based observations
are unscientific observations .

Unscientific
observations
 Unscientific observations are ineffective in
medical science as they lead to unscientific
interpretation and results .
 Probability based statitics being not led by
“science of life” , is an unscientific method of
assumption and reasoning in human beings.

 So what is counted as scientific today in
today’s medical practice is very unscientific .
 This happens owing to imperfect knowledge
regarding what is science in living beings.
 The difference between inert sciences and life
science is very vast .
 Multi disciplinary inert life
sciences(biochemistry, botany, cell biology,
and molecular biology etc) together will NOT
constitute the “Science of life”

Let off the probabilities
 Let us learn to adopt inbuilt scientific
methodologies in Ayurveda!!!
 Let off the probabilities and enjoy clinical
practice and research by true “scientific “ ways
!!

WHAT MAKES MEDICINE SCIENTIFIC ??

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