Goldsmiths University of London
Lewisham Way, New Cross, London SE14 6NW
UK
Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit Invited Speaker Series, 2014/15
Abstract
There probably is no ‘alternative’ therapy that continuously divides opinion more deeply than homeopathy. Some consumers simply swear by it and interested parties promote it vigorously, while sceptics have always insisted that it is bogus. One side argues ’it works for me’, while the other claims ‘there is not a single positive study’. Unfortunately both are not entirely correct, and divisive polemics seems unhelpful for establishing the truth. My lecture will review the known facts as they pertain to homeopathy’s basic assumptions, its efficacy and its safety. I will also try to explain why homeopathy generates so many evangelic believers and such cynical disbelievers.
And what has that to do with the ‘4th law of thermodynamics’? If you want to learn the answer, you should come to this lecture.
Biography
Professor Ernst qualified as a physician in Germany where he also completed his MD and PhD theses. He was Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) at Hannover Medical School (Germany) and Head of the PMR Department at the University of Vienna (Austria). He came to the University of Exeter in 1993 to establish the first Chair in Complementary Medicine. Since 2012, he is Emeritus Professor.
He is founder/Editor-in-Chief of two medical journals (FACT [‘Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies’] and ‘Perfusion’). His work has been awarded with 14 scientific prizes/awards and two Visiting Professorships. He served on the ‘Medicines Commission’ of the British ‘Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’ (1994 – 2005) and on the ‘Scientific Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products’ of the ‘Irish Medicines Board’. In 1999 he took British nationality. Publications: >1000 papers in the peer-reviewed literature (H-Index>80) (http://www.pms.ac.uk/compmed/publications.htm), 48 books (translated into well over a dozen languages), >100 book-chapters. About 700 invited lectures worldwide. Supervision of ~50 MD or PhD theses. Own blog: edzardernst.com Over 9000 followers on Twitter.