The Memory of Water: Homoeopathy and the Battle of Ideas in the New Science [Paperback]

This religion of true science has its own high priests, taboos and holy dogmas. The high priests are the editors of scientific journals such as Nature, who self-righteously decide which of nature's phenomena can and cannot be admitted into scientific scripture. Consideration for scientific canonization of a phenomenon usually depends on compatability with dogma and tradition.

Benveniste's research, described in the first half of this book, did not meet this criterion. It challenged the dogma that living system can be reduced to the mechanical interaction of molecules, and it violated a scientific taboo by suggesting that homeopathy, that old heresy on the systematic ridicule of which whole sceptical careers have been built, might be legitimate after all. A historical embarrasement for scientific orthodoxy seemed imminent.

Beneveniste had to be discredited by any means necessary. The second half of Schiff's book is devoted to a detailed discussion of what these means were. Among them are accusations of incompetence and fraud, rumors of mental instability, censorship, ridicule, misinterpretation of statistical data, mock replication of experiments and 'scientific harassment' (a barrage of invalid criticisms and poorly thought through alternative "explanations" that do not explain the observations, combined with escalating demands for more evidence, even though it has already been decided that no amount of evidence will be considered convincing), and ultimately, the withdrawl of funding.

Schiff's account of the lengths that the scientific establishment will go to to defend preconceived notions of how nature ought to work leaves no room for doubt that 'big science' is broken and needs to be fixed. An excellent, highly educational book that is deserving of five stars.

This book doesn't get into the know how but more the struggles of being accepted by main-stream medical doctors and researchers. Only a great read if you are interested in learning about the many objections homeopathy has encountered.

This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn more about homeopathy

Trough history, how many brilliant ideas have been turned down by established high priests of science? Hundreds. Some eventually mae their way to the light and filled of shame the censors who could not distinguish a new idea from quackery.

Even great minds may be victimized by arrogance and prepotency. Comes to mind Harrison's fight against the Royal Academy of Science in the chronograph/longitude issue when Newton himself (among other geniuses like Halley) shamefully barred Harrison from his well-deserved prize an pride.

This book is a MUST READ. If you ever suspected that established science may be working against your interests, rest assured it is. Read this book.