title: Medical science and the patient.
abstract: Classification is necessary to most forms of thought, and the scientific method requires particular refinement of this process in order to formulate its laws. But there is nothing fundamental about any classification; its categories are chosen for a particular purpose only, and often at least some of the subjects do not fall readily into any class. Furthermore, since only few of an individual's characteristics are used as classifying attributes, individuals themselves become submerged in the class, and their individuality lost in the scientific laws that arise therefrom. Desiderata of science and uniqueness are therefore opposed--and they are irreconcilable because absolute knowledge is either non-existent or unattainable. Thus, the decision as to whether an individual patient is healthy or diseased must be made on the basis of diagnostic laws which, as far as the individual is concerned, are inaccurate and may turn out to be spurious or even meaningless. These laws are therefore only guide-lines which must be 're-individuated' in clinical practice. In essence, the individual's health depends on the individual's biology.
authors.affiliation: Univesity of Birmingham Dental School, U.K.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Rippin
mesh_terms: D002965:Classification; D003933:Diagnosis; D004194:Disease; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine; D012586:Science