Using Philosophy in Homeopathy

Overview

Part of Fraser’s Using Maps and Systems in Homeopathy series, this book takes a concise look at the tenets of homeopathic Philosophy and how those core ideas define the understanding of a case, the prescription of a successful remedy and effective case management.

Fraser’s concise survey looks at the history of homeopathic Philosophy and offers a clear exposition of the basic principles.

Details

We, as homeopaths, are privileged to practice one of the few systems of medicine with clear central principles that define how we understand disease and how we cure it.

The study of homeopathic philosophy, whether it be Hahnemann’s Organon or Kent’s Lectures or Close’s Genuis, is more than the pursuit of theoretical knowledge. These texts outline precise and practical approaches to the patient, to disease and to case management. In short, understanding homeopathic philosophy makes us better clinicians.

Fraser’s concise survey looks at the history of homeopathic Philosophy and offers a clear exposition of the basic principles. The author then outlines how Philosophy is applied to each stage of the homeopathic process, from case-taking to remedy selection, bringing Philosophy down to earth and into the consulting room.

The Using Maps and Systems in Homeopathy also includes Using Realms in Homeopathy, Using Miasms in Homeopathy, Using Correspondences in Homeopathy and Using Mappa Mundi in Homeopathy.

From the Book

Homoeopathic Philosophy is sometimes regarded as an esoteric discipline, something that homoeopaths are forced to learn but which has little relevance to their daily practice.

This is far from the truth for not only does the Philosophy infiltrate and inspire everything we do in our practice but it is also one of the most powerful and useful tools for understanding the picture presented by the patient, the nature of the remedy and for matching the two: the three parts of the healing art.

Not only this but Philosophy provides the only measure against which we can gauge the patient's response to the remedy. It is the only tool that gives us a proper understanding of how the remedy is working.

Philosophy is a wonderfully precise and simple tool. It is based on a very few, very clear principles. If these principles are properly understood, then the consequences that proceed from them are obvious and unavoidable.

Questions about what is happening in a case or what certain symptoms mean may appear ambiguous and confusing on their own. The same questions when measured against simple philosophical concepts are invariably clear and not open to several different interpretations.

This book is not a treatise on Philosophy as an esoteric and obscure study. It is a straightforward tool that will help the homoeopath find the correct remedy and will allow him or her to understand the progress of the case and to adjust treatment in the most effective manner.

Contents

Introduction -- 1
History -- 4

Principles -- 10
Vitality -- 12
Health and Disease -- 14
The Optimum State -- 16
Like Cures Like -- 19
The Single Remedy -- 21
The Minimum Dose -- 24

The Application of The Principles -- 26
The First Consultation -- 27
The First Prescription -- 41
The Centre of the Case -- 42
Knowing the Remedy -- 43
The Follow up Consultation -- 47
The Second Prescription -- 51

References -- 52
Index -- 53

Peter Fraser

Peter Fraser was a bookseller and publisher before discovering Homeopathy. His work on many provings of new remedies led to an interest in contemporary disease which resulted in his book The AIDS Miasm.

Having taught in many parts of the world he realized there was a need for basic instructions to many of the concepts used in homeopathy, which this series aims to fill. He is the Director of the Institute of Homeopathy and practices in Bristol and London.

Reviews

"Here is a beautiful book written by an author who lives and breathes the subject – this knowledge permeates the writing making it a useful work-book for the committed student. "
— Misha Norland

"Peter has quite brilliantly drawn together the threads of the higher realms of human experience and brought them down to earth to be immense practical use in our everyday practices."
— Janet Snowdon