Empiricism versus science in the teaching of nephrology.
Recent changes in medical courses in Italy reflect a recognition that both theoretical education and clinical practice are essential components of a doctor's training. These two parallel branches of medical education find their origins in the beliefs of Galen, mentor of medicine as a pure science, and of Alexander of Aphrodisias, promoter of the predominant role of empiricism. Neither a dogmatic nor an empiric approach to the study of medicine, however, is sufficient on its own.
Chair of Nephrology, Seconda Università di Napoli, Italy.
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D004501:Education, Medical / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D009398:Nephrology / Q000193:education*