Peterson's Entry for NCNM: Ye Old “Science-Based Vitalistic” Naturopathic Nonsense

here, I cite from Peterson's “Graduate Programs in Business, Education, Health, Information Studies, Law and Social Work 2004” (ISBN 076891146x, 2003) regarding National College of Natural Medicine's [NCNM] claim that the vitalistic is within the science-based [see 001., below]: then I cite from the State of Oregon's Board of Naturopathic Medicine [OBNM] and similar nonsense [see 002., below]:

001. the 'professional science-based vitalistic' at NCNM:

001.a. Peterson's NCNM entry states:

“naturopathic medicine is a science-based, vitalistic philosophy and practice rooted in the principle of vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature […] students pursue a vitalistically grounded and rigorous academic clinical program [p.2113].”

Note: so, naturopathy is essentially vitalistic. The 'back-stage' context of naturopathy is vitalism, even when naturopathy cleverly codes the premise so as not to allow for informed, transparent communication of that essential 'nature.' NCNM is the oldest of the AANMC schools, and this vitalistic context is canonical. Now, science has ejected the vitalistic, hugely. Yup. And to be grounded vitalistically is about as sensible as if dentistry centered itself around the figment known as the Tooth Fairy.  Rigor?  Thoughtless is more like it.  Cultic.

001.b. regarding science, the entry states:

“the first two years of study are focused on the standard medical sciences […] naturopathic medicine integrates natural healing methods from around the world with solid foundations in Western sciences.”

Note: I'm not sure how science can be standard and solid when what is science and not science is regarded as equal within the naturopathic realm. That is about as standard as stating that sense and nonsense are the same thing. So, a solid foundation in science is when science is ANYTHING you wish it to be?

001.c. and of course, we're told this is ethically rigorous / professional per:

“founded in 1956, National College of Naturopathic Medicine is the oldest accredited naturopathic medical college in North America. As such, it has been the heart of the profession.”

Note: what kind of profession is so FLAWED at its very core that it appears irrational, insane, scientifically-illiterate, and opaque?

002. OBNE states in “Naturopathy”[vsc 2010-06-19]:

"naturopathic physicians (N.D.) are primary care practitioners trained as specialist in natural medicine. They are educated in conventional medical sciences [...] the practice of naturopathic medicine emerges from six underlying principles of healing. These principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in light of scientific analysis. It is these principles that distinguish the profession from other medical approaches: [#1] the healing power of nature, vis medicatrix naturae. The body has the inherent ability to establish, maintain, and restore health. The healing process is ordered and intelligent; nature heals through the response of the life force."

Note: so, more nonsense.

003. beware:

naturopathy is quite false at its core. You have States, their Departments of Education, the Federal DOE, regionally accredited colleges and universities, and college / university career guides spewing quite dunderheaded sectarian dogma posing as legitimate “science.”

Peterson's UBCNM ND Program Profile: The Label of Professional Science, The Reality of Nonprofessionality and Nonscience Irrationality

here, I cite from Peterson's “Graduate Programs in Business, Education, Health, Information Studies, Law and Social Work 2004” (ISBN 076891146x, 2003) [below, I will simply call this source “Peterson's”] which falsely labels UBCNM naturopathy 'professions-level science' [see 001., below]; while simultaneously labeling that program 'nonscience' i.e. essentially vitalistic and essentially supernatural [see 002.a., below]; then, I use UB's own web pages to show naturopathy's underlying essential nonscience context [see 002.b., below]:

001. Peterson's states in “University of Bridgeport College Of Naturopathic Medicine”:

001.a. per “profess”:

“the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine offers an intensive program of professional education leading to the doctor of naturopathic medicine N.D. degree [p.2119].”

Note: professional, INTENSIVELY professional.  Supposedly.

001.b. per “scien”:

“during the first two years, studies include the foundation medical sciences […] the second two years are devoted to the clinical sciences such as [...] homeopathy […] the College offers state-of-the-art facilities through a newly renovated multidisciplinary Health Sciences Center, a complete outpatient medical center which includes treatment rooms, laboratories, X-ray capabilities, hydrotherapy facilities, and rehabilitation equipment under the supervision of naturopathic doctors […] each of the science courses [required for admission] must include a laboratory, must be passed with a grade of C or better, and must be a course offered for science majors […] a minimum GPA of 3.0 in science courses is preferred [p.2119].”

Note: so the claim is that the foundation of the naturopathic is science.  NOT!  And homeopathy is not a clinical science, by far.  Of course, UB places naturopathy categorically within the realm of health science anyway.  And obviously UB demands science-expertise and -acumen from their incoming doctoral candidates!  What's the point when...

002.a. Peterson's also states, on the same page:

“naturopathic medicine is grounded in the vitalistic tradition of medicine.”

Note: vitalistic, as in the “life force” figmentation or as I often express the whole thing, a belief in a 'purposeful life spirit' in charge of physiology.  You are not informed that labeling the vitalistic scientific is about as accurate as labeling Creation Science scientific.

002.b. you can see what the actual context of UBCNM naturopathy is at UB's own web site:

the science-ejected vitalistic and supernatural sectarian irrationally labeled scientific. Folks, that is called pseudoscience, and I've often called it, because it is so irrational, a mind-fuck.  Galore.  In fact, I've even called it “cultic mystical weirdness” at a deposition.

Note: this book, that declares itself “the authority,” is full of false nonsense regarding UBCNM naturopathy.  It is likely that MANY people were induced by it into studying naturopathy through its false labelings.  Again, seems to me that the pages of this book should be regarded as false-advertisement space.  Unfortunately for the unknowing public, the commerce is unfair and the State of Connecticut is quite complicit so ain't nothing going to be done about it: here's CT's own University system promoting naturopathic irrationality.

003. the professions:

adhere to the highest of ethical standards, credat emptor [let the buyer have faith].  But, obviously, naturopathy is so academically and institutionally incompetent and wacko [I'm being polite here] that the buyer shouldn't have any faith / trust in naturopathy at all. Because naturopathy does not tell the truth about itself.

Peterson's Bastyr U. ND Program Profile: The Label of Profession and Science, The Reality of Nonprofessionality and Nonscience

here, I cite from Peterson's "Graduate Programs in Business, Education, Health, Information Studies, Law and Social Work 2004" (ISBN 076891146x) [below, I will simply call this source "Peterson's"] which falsely labels naturopathy 'professions-level science' [see 001., below]; then, I use my alma mater's own web page to show naturopathy's underlying essential nonscience context [see 002., below]:

001. Peterson's states in "Bastyr University School Of Naturopathic Medicine" [you can search much of it at books.google.com]:

001.a. per "profess":

"Bastyr University offers a four-year program of professional education leading to the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine N.D. degree. The naturopathic medical profession [etc. p.2107]."

Note: professional, professional, professional.  Supposedly.

001.b. per "scien":

"the goal of the program is to educate future physicians in the tradition of medical science and the art of natural healing […by] providing a comprehensive understanding of the basic medical sciences […] students receive a thorough foundation in the basic medical sciences […] the University’s mission includes the pursuit of scientific research […] Bastyr University was founded as a naturopathic medical college in 1978 to meet the growing need for scientifically trained naturopathic physicians […via a] comprehensive education in the natural health sciences [p.2107]."

Note: science, science, science.  Supposedly.

002. underneath these labels, you can see what the actual context of naturopathy is:

the science-ejected vitalistic.

Note: nonscience, at its core.  Truly. By oath, though often the context is coded in naturalistic language. While only one large aspect of the naturopathic belief amalgam, vitalism is thoroughly science-ejected.  

So WOW!  A book that declares itself "the authority" is full of false nonsense.  It is likely that MANY people were induced by Peterson's and Bastyr into studying naturopathy through false labelings.  Seems to me that the pages of this book should be regarded as false-advertisement space.  Unfortunately for the unknowing trusting public, e.g. the Bastyr entry, naturopathic commerce is unfair.

003. the professions:

adhere to the highest of ethical standards, credat emptor [let the buyer have faith].  But, obviously, naturopathy is so academically and institutionally science-illiterate, incompetent and unethical / false / lacking in integrity and rationality that the buyer shouldn't have any faith / trust in naturopathy at all.  The buyer should run, instead: be that buyer a clinical patient or an academic customer. 

Naturopathy cannot meet the laxer standard of caveat emptor [let the buyer beware].  Used car dealers are held to higher standards than naturopathy, which is allowed to basically be legalized robbery.

 

This misreference book has a prized place on my bookshelf.

Bastyr U.'s Naturopathy "Science Based" Claim - Natural Healers, BCNH, AANMC, Peterson's, GPIS (2009-06-29):

here are the results of a recent google.com web search per >bastyr science based naturopathic<:

001. Bastyr University writes:

001.a. on the naturalhealers.com page "Bastyr University - Naturopathic Medicine Program":

"Bastyr University's School of Naturopathic Medicine [...of a] a distinct multidisciplinary, science-based approach to teaching with an emphasis on understanding the mind, body, spirit and nature [...quoting Whorton] 'Bastyr University [...] bringing scientific legitimacy to natural medicine' [...] a rigorous, science-based education [...of the] the natural health sciences."

Note: how did supernaturalism get science-based [and naturopathy's requisite vitalism {the science-ejected}], and the Nobel committee missed giving Bastyr an award for such a PROFOUNDLY revolutionary breakthrough? [It's not true].

001.b. on the bastyr.edu page "Clinical Resources for Naturopathic Medicine":

"the science-based naturopathic medicine of today [...the] Textbook of Natural Medicine, 3rd ed. Edited by Joseph E. Pizzorno and Michael T. Murray. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2005. This two-volume set has long been the standard reference for science-based natural medicine [...] Kent, J. T. Lectures on Homeopathic Philosophy [...] it includes information on how to take a case history and determine the proper remedy, and how to scientifically understand what constitutes a cure [...] Lindlahr, Henry. Philosophy of Natural Therapeutics. Maidstone, Kent ; Saffron Walden, Essex, England: Maidstone Osteopathic Clinic; C.W. Daniel, 1916. (Reprinted in 1985.) Henry Lindlahr, M.D. (1862-1924), a proponent of scientific naturopathy."

Note: "scientific naturopathy" is as logical as scientific nonscience.

001.c. on the bastyr.edu page "Interviews and Profiles: Gannady Raskin, MD, ND Enhances Bastyr's Naturopathic Education Position as Dean":

"our science-based approach to natural medicine continues to garner worldwide respect."

Note: how does absurdity get respect?

002. Bastyr Center For Natural Health states:

002.a. on the bastyrcenter.org page "Naturopathic Medicine: Overview":

"while firmly science-based, modern naturopathic medicine [etc.]."

002.b. on the dexknows.com page "Bastyr Center For Natural Health [...] Science Based Natural Health Progs, Graduate/Undergraduate":

"respected internationally for its science-based natural health programs."

003. Bastyr University President Church states on the AANMC page "Bastyr University - Message from the President":

"Bastyr University continues to champion science-based natural medicine."

004. Bastyr states on the Peterson's College Guide page "Bastyr University - School of Naturopathic Medicine":

"Bastyr's fully accredited four- to five-year Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.) program is internationally renowned for its rigorous, science-based curriculum. Combining a distinct multidisciplinary, science-based approach to teaching with an emphasis on understanding the mind, body, spirit, and nature [...] students receive a thorough foundation in the basic medical sciences [...] the field of natural health sciences [...] scientifically trained naturopathic physicians."

005. Bastyr states on the Graduate Programs In Science [GPIS] page "Bastyr University: Naturopathic Medicine":

"the School of Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University is internationally renowned for its rigorous science-based curriculum [...] modern medical science [...] a strong preparation in the sciences [...] the natural health sciences."

Note: since when is 'nonscience as a basis' [the essentially naturopathic] the same as 'science-based' [what science actually supports, which sure as scat doesn't include supernaturalism and vitalism - minimally], academically speaking?