Rationalism (jan 1, 1 – jan 1, 180)

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In his text "On the Medical Sects," philosopher Galen describes Rationalism as a medical ideology in which a healer has a specific theory about the human body and thus approaches medicine through this lens. Galen is against Rationalism, as he believes that a learned physician should base their ideas about the internal workings of the body solely on empirical observation.

Examples of Rationalism that emerged later on in Western medical history are iatrophysics and iatrochemistry, which reduce explanations about the body to the laws of physics and chemistry. Championed by English physician William Harvey, these medical theories gained traction during the 17th century.

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