Therapeutic nihilism

Therapeutic Nihilism

Therapeutic nihilism (pronunciation: thair-uh-PYOO-tik NYE-uh-liz-uhm) is a medical philosophy that suggests that it is impossible to cure or treat certain diseases, or that it is better to not treat certain diseases due to the potential harm that treatment may cause. The term originates from the Latin word 'therapeuticus', meaning 'curing, healing', and the Greek word 'nihil', meaning 'nothing'.

History

The concept of therapeutic nihilism emerged in the 19th century, during a time when many medical treatments were not only ineffective, but often harmful. Physicians who adhered to this philosophy believed that the body's natural healing processes were more reliable than medical interventions.

Modern Usage

In modern medicine, therapeutic nihilism is often used to describe a pessimistic attitude towards the effectiveness of treatment, particularly in the context of chronic or incurable diseases. It is also used to critique over-reliance on medical interventions, particularly when the benefits of treatment are uncertain or marginal.

Related Terms

Medical ethics: The field of applied ethics which analyzes the practice of clinical medicine and related scientific research.
Clinical nihilism: A belief that medical treatment often does more harm than good, particularly in the elderly or in those with chronic illnesses.
Placebo effect: A beneficial effect produced by a placebo drug or treatment, which cannot be attributed to the properties of the placebo itself, and must therefore be due to the patient's belief in that treatment.
Nocebo effect: A harmful effect on health produced by psychological or psychosomatic factors such as negative expectations of treatment or prognosis.

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Therapeutic nihilism