[Naturopathy as metaphor]

Scientific medicine criticises alternative, natural medical trends as being non-scientific, using untested means and being noncontributive to medical progress. As much to the point these arguments might be, as much they are defensive, since this criticism might extend to some questionable developments in scientific medicine. The term of natural medicine then stands also for the search for confidence and security, for the credence in natural self-healing and the wish of the ill for autonomy. Natural medicine also questions the rationale for the new directions in modern medicine. The actual movement of natural medicine is no longer the personification of an unconsidered, fundamentalistic rebellion from earlier times against the establishment of rational and technical science. It has integrated a constructive spiritual wisdom from modern ecology and expresses the concern that inner values, the moral and spiritual growth, do not keep pace with the apparent progress of feasible modern medicine. In this context a non-prejudiced and open discussion of these critical positions in our society could give an important role to the Academy of Lucerne 1991.