In the real world I agree the doctor not checking physical reality is quite bad. The difference is that in Scott’s story by assumption things are such that checking would cause more trouble than it is worth. And while you actually seek real information, many are seeking something else. It’s not trivial but I do think Hansonian medicine largely does apply.
Ah, maybe the reason we interpreted Scott’s Doctor scenario differently is that I read it as much less hypothetical than you did.
There’s also a potential cultural difference here—I’m from Germany, and maybe doctors from the US vs. Germany differ in the extent to which they overprescribe vs. underprescribe medical care.
In the real world I agree the doctor not checking physical reality is quite bad. The difference is that in Scott’s story by assumption things are such that checking would cause more trouble than it is worth. And while you actually seek real information, many are seeking something else. It’s not trivial but I do think Hansonian medicine largely does apply.
Ah, maybe the reason we interpreted Scott’s Doctor scenario differently is that I read it as much less hypothetical than you did.
There’s also a potential cultural difference here—I’m from Germany, and maybe doctors from the US vs. Germany differ in the extent to which they overprescribe vs. underprescribe medical care.