97) Epidemiology is the study of the incidence, prevalence, and source of disease in large populations. John Snow was a particularly adamant follower of empiricism, especially in regard to his work with chloroform and in his other scientific pursuits, including his famous work involving cholera.Įpidemiology (p.
68) Empiricism, in relation to the natural sciences, is the practice of relying on observation, data collection, and experimentation. He drew upon his broad background and used insights from many different disciplines to form his ideas and hypotheses.Įmpiricism (p. 67-68) Consilience is the linking together of principles from different disciplines, especially when forming a comprehensive theory. It might be applied to John Snow who regularly did not let the popular scientific ideas or the mindset of his time deter him from making scientific inquiries based on different assumptions.Ĭonsilience (p. The term can refer to an intellectual, artist, scientist, politician or anyone who takes a stand that is apart or different from his or her associates. 26) A maverick is a person who thinks independently.
