4 ms·

Microorganisms as a source of disease seems a pretty important concept; we take it for granted now, but ignorance of this was a huge deal up until about 150 yea

by kabdib 10y ago

Microorganisms as a source of disease seems a pretty important concept; we take it for granted now, but ignorance of this was a huge deal up until about 150 years ago.

igravious 10y ago
I think you're right. I think that _is_ a more important concept. Why? Because it does many things at once. 1) Establishes natural biological causes for the transmission of diseases, thereby supplanting all sorts of other theories like hex-casting, bad omens, malevolent deities, and so on and so on 2) It says that there are things that can't be seen with the naked eye that share our biology, which opens the door to atomism anyway 3) It says that biology shares a common substrate which is a useful concept in itself 4) And practically speaking, if the information that microorganisms are disease vectors is coupled with the knowledge that certain routines such as cleaning and washing prevent said transmission and that other substances act as anti-bacterial agents then human and animal welfare is promoted and suffering is reduced allowing for more rapid societal progress Therefore, I agree with you.
yabatopia 10y ago
Especially vaccines. It's such a counterintuitive concept : injecting yourself with a small doses of a disease to prevent that disease. Do you want some polio, it's good for you? Er, no, go away you freak! Contrast that with atomic theory: nearly everybody can grasp the concept that bigger parts are made of smaller parts.
woodandsteel 10y ago
That is a very important idea, but it was atomism that lead to it. For thousands of years, people explained natural phenomena like disease through alleged supernatural causes. Then Greek science-philosophers attempted to explain them through thoroughly natural causes. They tried various ideas like everything is fire, but it was atomism that was successful, and it lead to modern science in general.

by kabdib 10y ago

Microorganisms as a source of disease seems a pretty important concept; we take it for granted now, but ignorance of this was a huge deal up until about 150 years ago.

igravious 10y ago

I think you're right. I think that _is_ a more important concept. Why? Because it does many things at once. 1) Establishes natural biological causes for the transmission of diseases, thereby supplanting all sorts of other theories like hex-casting, bad omens, malevolent deities, and so on and so on 2) It says that there are things that can't be seen with the naked eye that share our biology, which opens the door to atomism anyway 3) It says that biology shares a common substrate which is a useful concept in itself 4) And practically speaking, if the information that microorganisms are disease vectors is coupled with the knowledge that certain routines such as cleaning and washing prevent said transmission and that other substances act as anti-bacterial agents then human and animal welfare is promoted and suffering is reduced allowing for more rapid societal progress Therefore, I agree with you.

yabatopia 10y ago

Especially vaccines. It's such a counterintuitive concept : injecting yourself with a small doses of a disease to prevent that disease. Do you want some polio, it's good for you? Er, no, go away you freak! Contrast that with atomic theory: nearly everybody can grasp the concept that bigger parts are made of smaller parts.

woodandsteel 10y ago

That is a very important idea, but it was atomism that lead to it. For thousands of years, people explained natural phenomena like disease through alleged supernatural causes. Then Greek science-philosophers attempted to explain them through thoroughly natural causes. They tried various ideas like everything is fire, but it was atomism that was successful, and it lead to modern science in general.