Medical School Hotline: Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Address: “Death Was Never Enemy of Ours.”

摘要

The object of any discussion of humanism in medicine should be to emphasize those qualities of the art that extend beyond the administration of medications, the wielding of a knife, the manipulating of damaged limbs or spine. That would seem clear enough, but there actually is some variation in the definition of humanism. The criteria from the Arnold P. Gold foundation for this award emphasize compassion and respect. The original definition, dating back to the 18th century, emphasizes the value of reason over religious belief, and thus acclaims the dignity and the capability of humankind, magnificent and grand concepts. They are not quite the same; so I will go with “compassion & respect.” It's smaller and more manageable; and paraphrasing A.A. Milne, I am increasingly “…a bear of little brain.”