Miriam Solomon on Expert Consensus in Medicine

Summary

In medicine, consensus statements abound. They’re issued by government agencies and professional societies as the official word on the science and practice of medicine. But what role does expert consensus serve? To summarize the evidence? To deliberate over decision-making? Or to command change? In an era of evidence-based medicine, is expert consensus going extinct? Or is it perhaps more important now than ever? Philosophers studying the social context of medical knowledge may have some answers.

Today’s consultation is with philosopher Miriam Solomon, Professor of Philosophy at Temple University.

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Jonathan Fuller

Jonathan Fuller MD PhD is a philosopher of medicine and Associate Professor in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh. He is co-host of the NBN channel Philosophy of Medicine and a producer of its podcast series 'New Books in Philosophy of Medicine' and 'Philosophers on Medicine'.
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