Medicine as a Scholarly Field: An Introduction

As modern medicine is constituted by its many specialties and subspecialties, this raises the question, what educational content should all these disciplines have in common? The author's premise is that a suitably scholarly modern philosophy should be the modern counterpart of the Hippocratic philosophy that was at the root of the genesis of modern medicine. Such a philosophy should be pivotal in 'the medical common'. Much needed but still missing is, he says, such an introduction to medicine at large; the author takes on the challenge of providing it.§§In this spirit the author develops, as only a genuine scholar of medicine can, fundamental concepts and principles of medicine that are relevant to each of the differentiated disciplines. The author reveals what truly is medicine through his learned and carefully-considered definition, supplementing this with an outline of the route to excellence as a doctor and to consequent happiness as a professional. This book is essential reading for physicians, clinicians, clinical researchers and epidemiologists, as well as medical students.§§"To me it is astonishing and to medicine actually shameful that it has taken up to year 2015 before there is a work in which the essence of medicine is described and discussed."§§-- J. Steurer, University of Zurich§§"[In this book], Miettinen beautifully elucidates the concepts and principles of knowledge-based diagnosis and prognosis, within medicine. Now, after six decades of keen observation and study, and critical reflection on medicine and medical research, Miettinen, in this book, shares the fundamental understandings he has reached; ..."§§-- T. J. VanderWeele, Harvard University§§"The aim of this book ... is admirable. The composition of the book -- from the key concepts to logical and ethical principles -- is very clear and systematic. I am convinced that this kind of book is needed."§§-- I. Niiniluoto, University of Helsinki§