@article {Herman42, author = {Joseph Herman}, title = {Medicine: the science and the art}, volume = {27}, number = {1}, pages = {42--46}, year = {2001}, doi = {10.1136/mh.27.1.42}, publisher = {Institute of Medical Ethics}, abstract = {Medicine has been said to be both a science and an art. Many practitioners regard this statement as containing an element of {\textquotedblleft}either/or{\textquotedblright}. A brief look at what scientists and artists have written about their work and their world views, however, suggests that the two fields of endeavour form a complementary part of our attempts to understand ourselves and the world about us. Moreover, on occasion, each can perform some of the other{\textquoteright}s tasks. This paper quotes from the writings of physicians, scientists and people active in the humanities in order to demonstrate how frequently their thoughts converge. It also presents a case report from general practice illustrative of the idea that there is much common ground between the {\textquotedblleft}hard{\textquotedblright} and the {\textquotedblleft}soft{\textquotedblright} in medicine. Indeed, the profession{\textquoteright}s art and science may really be one.}, issn = {1468-215X}, URL = {https://mh.bmj.com/content/27/1/42}, eprint = {https://mh.bmj.com/content/27/1/42.full.pdf}, journal = {Medical Humanities} }