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

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.