"Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability"
- William Osler
About this Quote
This quote by William Osler speaks with the complexity of medication and the difficulty of making precise diagnoses and treatments. Medicine is a science, indicating it is based upon realities and proof, however it is likewise an art, suggesting it needs creativity and intuition. Osler is saying that medication is a combination of both science and art, which it is an uncertain field. Even with the best evidence and the most skilled physicians, there is still a degree of uncertainty in medication. Treatments and diagnoses are based upon probability, indicating that there is no warranty of success. Medication is a complex field that needs both clinical knowledge and imaginative analytical. Osler's quote is a reminder of the difficulty of medication and the significance of comprehending the uncertainty that features it.