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==Pseudo-scientific explanatory approaches==

==Pseudo-scientific explanatory approaches==

From a scientific view, homoeopathy is not plausible:

From a scientific view, homoeopathy is not plausible:It contradicts logic, the laws of nature, and medical knowledge past and present. High potencies of D23 or C12 or more do not contain any molecule of raw material. How are drops supposed to work which only consist of solvents? There is no water memory which could assimilate "information".

The homoeopathy is not plausible from the scientific view: It contradicts logic, the laws of nature, and medical knowledge past and present. High potencies of D23 or C12 or more do not contain any molecule of raw material. How are drops supposed to work which only consist of solvents? There is no water memory which could assimilate "information".

Within the framework of scientific medicine, it is not reasonable to explain the functionality of methods which are not in a position to prove their efficacy. Any exploration of mechanisms of action in homoeopathy are not reasonable as long as their is no indication of homoeopathy having any efficacy in the first place. Therefore, all attempts at explaining homoeopathy are scientifically unfounded and must be classified as pseudo-science.

Within the framework of scientific medicine, it is not reasonable to explain the functionality of methods which are not in a position to prove their efficacy. Any exploration of mechanisms of action in homoeopathy are not reasonable as long as there is no indication of homoeopathy having any efficacy in the first place. Therefore, all attempts at explaining homoeopathy are scientifically unfounded and must be classified as pseudo-science.

This, however, does not prevent homoeopaths from devising mechanisms of action regarding homoeopathy, nor from publishing these. The range covered spans from animist concepts of animated matter in which dilution will release the positive spirits (or vibrations) of substances to a pseudo-scientific re-interpretation of quantum mechanic and nuclear physical concepts (cf. quantum mysticism). Contemporary homoeopaths and supporters of homoeopathy often refer to quantum mechanics in physics in order to explain the alleged effects of homoeopathic remedies. Quantum effects, however, only matter on a subatomic and perhaps probably on an atomic level. They are not relevant for the makroscopic world or for biological system like virus, individual cells or upwards. Two persons often mentioned in this context are Anton Zeilinger, a quantum physicist from Vienna, and psychologist Harald Walach, a professor with European University Viadrina in Frankfort.

This, however, does not prevent homoeopaths from devising mechanisms of action regarding homoeopathy, nor from publishing these. The range covered spans from animist concepts of animated matter in which dilution will release the positive spirits (or vibrations) of substances to a pseudo-scientific re-interpretation of quantum mechanic and nuclear physical concepts (cf. quantum mysticism). Contemporary homoeopaths and supporters of homoeopathy often refer to quantum mechanics in physics in order to explain the alleged effects of homoeopathic remedies. Quantum effects, however, only matter on a subatomic and perhaps probably on an atomic level. They are not relevant for the macroscopic world or for biological systems like virus, individual cells or upwards. Two persons often mentioned in this context are Anton Zeilinger, a quantum physicist from Vienna, and psychologist Harald Walach, a professor at European University Viadrina in Frankfort.

A water memory, which Jacques Benveniste imagined to have detected, is often cited as evidence. It has been evident since 1995 at the latest that Benvenistes results are not reproducible. Still the claim is maintained that high dilutions contained information, although neither an information carrier nor a code can be conceived. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that also the most recent "evidence" employing rat intestines, celebrated as a breakthrough, was finally proven wrong and proved to be untenable. An extensive appreciation of this pseudo research at Leipzig University may be found here: '''add source'''[4]. Whatever information the structure of water is supposed to contain according to the concept of its supporters, it additionally needed to be transferred to the sugar pills on which the drop of homoeopathic water is applied. Water memory would have to "survive" ingestion and absorption by the gastrointestinal system, as well as transport to the body tissues by blood. Biologists have neither found a "water memory" nor discovered homoeopathic signals or receptors, nor anything which plausibly was in a position to serve as a receptor for water structures.

An alleged water memory, which Jacques Benveniste imagined to have detected, is often cited as evidence. It has been evident since 1995 at the latest that Benvenistes results are not reproducible. Still the claim is maintained that high dilutions contained information, although neither an information carrier nor a code can be conceived. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that also the most recent "evidence" employing rat intestines, celebrated as a breakthrough, was finally proven wrong and proved to be untenable. An extensive appreciation of this pseudo-research at Leipzig University may be found here: '''add source'''[4]. Whatever information the structure of water is supposed to contain according to the concept of its supporters, it additionally needed to be transferred to the sugar pills on which the drop of homoeopathic water is applied. Water memory would have to "survive" ingestion and absorption by the gastrointestinal system, as well as transport to the body tissues by blood. Biologists have neither found a "water memory" nor discovered homoeopathic signals or receptors, nor anything which plausibly was in a position to serve as a receptor for water structures.

Diluted water, too, is being offered as a homoeopathic remedy (1 gram of diluted water costs about 1 pound, see illustration on the right), rendering the concept just as dubious as the assertions of some homoeopaths that remedies placed beneath the pillow or carried on the body were also able to take an effect.

Diluted water, too, is being offered as a homoeopathic remedy (1 gram of diluted water costs about 1 pound, see illustration on the right), rendering the concept just as dubious as the assertions of some homoeopaths that remedies placed beneath the pillow or carried on the body were also able to take an effect.