Monday, March 15, 2010

Adam Dreamhealer's 'Naturopathy is Science' Claim and Coded Vitalism:

here, I quote from energy healer and apparent naturopathy fan Adam Dreamhealer [see 001., below]; then, from Skeptic North [see 002., below]:

001. Adam Dreamhealer states in "What is a Naturopathic Doctor"(2010-03-14):

"naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with [etc....] naturopathic medicine is the art and science of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention [...] naturopathic doctors [...] enhance health care services provided by other health care professionals [...and] cooperate with other branches of medical science [...] the practice of naturopathic medicine is based on 6 principles: [#1] the healing power of nature: the body is a self-regulating and self-healing organism [...NDs] choose therapies that gently support and stimulate normal function [...] this healing process."

Note: I enjoy the CAND / AANP-like language wherein one states that that which is distinct is a blend / integration [quite naturopathic in their 'something is what it isn't' style]; since science blended with an overarching nonscience isn't science, stating that naturopathy is a branch of medical science isn't logical -- particularly after stating that naturopathy is 'some science mixed with lots of nonscience' [but, after the distinct-blend precedent, we're already being steered into a land of huge illogic]; we have the claim of professionalism placed over naturopathy, yet why is it that we are not told [as is typical of the ND MO] that that #1 principle is in fact the science-ejected premise of vitalism?  Such coded vitalism / opacity emphasizes to me how indistinct, nonscientific, and nonprofessional naturopathy actually is. AD appears to be working towards an ND.

002. Skeptic North states in "Adam Dreamhealer - Are His Intentions Valid?"(2009-11-24):

"[per Polevey] Adam has been exposed in articles the Skeptical Inquirer, James Randi Foundation, Skeptic Magazine [...] several skeptical web sites have exposed Dreamhealer's powers as bogus, including LiveScience.com and ScienceBlogs.com [...] he claims to be enrolled in a naturopathic college, but the two most logical ones in Seattle and in the Vancouver area deny that he is a student there [...] Adam seems to have grown fond of Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, where he holds regular workshops at the naturopathic college's main auditoriums."

Note: so, there are mixed messages about AD's ND future.  I personally don't believe such powers exist.  If so, why hasn't AD won Randi's million?

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