Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Views & Reviews The Bigger Picture

Now Irish eyes are open

BMJ 2009; 338 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2356 (Published 10 June 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b2356

Rapid Response:

Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason)

Truth is elusive, and we all feel the pull between faith and reason. While
extremists adhere exclusively to one, and ignore the other, most of us
recognize that life requires a realistic and practical combination of both. Faith
teaches us to be dependent and obedient, while reason teaches us to be
independent and objective. Since life requires all these qualities, we should
avoid extremism and instead practice eclecticism by tempering faith with
reason.

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

11 June 2009
Hugh Mann
Physician
Eagle Rock, MO 65641 USA