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Homeopathy

Added by Paul 10 January 2008 13:00

James Randi reckons that homeopathy is nonsense.

In fact, he's so confident, he will give $1million dollars to anyone who can provide convincing evidence of its effects.

Astonishingly it seems that the practitioners are not queuing up to claim their prize.

If he was offering $1million to prove that ibuprofen works I think there would be a few takers.

Trying to claim that homeopathy doesn't work in a way that can be measured doesn't wash; if it works, it cures illness and that can be measured. End of.

Steve on 10 January 2008 13:43

I think it comes down to belief - Quantum level stuff like shroedingers cat.

If you believe in it, it will work.

Paul on 10 January 2008 14:20

Steve. You're quite right of course.

The placebo effect is a genuinely fascinating phenomenon. And it works. And the more dramatic the therapy, think needles in acupuncture for example, the more effect there is. Witch doctors and reflexologists alike owe a great debt to the placebo effect.

Unfortunately it's a bit like advertising though; nobody would like to think they are affected by it. Therefore when people are 'cured' by 'alternative therapies' they are prone - understandably in my view - to believe that it was the therapy.

And sometimes, people just get better all by themselves.

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