today while idling in the graduate lounge and scanning my first class readings for the medieval and renaissance medicine class i lighted on this passage from avicenna's canon of medicine:

"thus, when, in regard to medicine, we say that practice proceeds from theory, we do not mean that there is one division of medicine by which we know, and another, distinct therefrom, by which we act -- as many, examining this problem, suppose. we mean instead that these two aspects are both sciences - but one deals with the basic principles of knowledge, the other with the mode of operation of these principles. the former is theory; the latter is practice. theory is that which, when mastered, gives us a certain knowledge, apart from any question of treatment...the practice of medicine is not the work which the physician carries out, but is that branch of medical knowledge which, when acquired, enables one to form an opinion upon which to base the proper plan of treatment...thus theory guides to an opinion, and the opinion is the basis of treatment."

that really shook me up i mean it's like a small revelation i tell you it's given me a new way of seeing and wait till i work that view into some of my other work!!!!! am damn pleased with self.