IS PHILOSOPHY IMPORTANT FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS?

Abstract

One of the greatest revolutions that the humanity has ever witnessed is the information superhighway. Today’s student has access to limitless information through computer technology. But the important question is: how to use this information and is it enough just to have lot of information? Computers are designed to use the information in a specific, pre-programmed way, and increasingly they are able to answer more and more questions. So, what does the future hold? Can the machines and programs like Google replace humans? Can they replace doctors? Google may be smart, but it is not wise! Among other things it is vital that we also teach our students wisdom which will help them apply their knowledge appropriately because as the Japanese proverb tells us ‘Knowledge without wisdom is a load of books on back of an ass’.

The tools taught by philosophy are of great use in post-graduation too. It has been claimed that teaching philosophy to students makes them learn how to write clearly, and to read closely, with a critical eye; they are taught to identify bad reasoning, and how to avoid it in their own writing and in their own work. All these learned attributes would help our graduates in their future role as physicians, researchers and teachers. It is strongly recommended that philosophy should be taught to medical students during undergraduate years in small incremental steps with clear and realistic goals. Teaching philosophy with medicine will help them in giving empirical basis for viewing and treating the human body.