Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Richard Sobel

  • “(W)holistic”: The coining and the connotations

    Richard SobelNegev, Israel  Origin of the term Jan Christian Smuts (1870–1950)—general, statesman, twice Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, and philosopher, published his political treatise, “Holism and Evolution,” in 1926. It is said that Albert Einstein thought Smuts was one of only eleven people in the world who understood his Theory of Relativity.…

  • Mimetic disease

    Richard SobelPeggy Aylsworth Be’er Sheva, Israel Speaking of WordsTry The Faierie Queenie in the original.Classic masterpiecethough it may beI need a lesson in Middle Englishto make my waythrough virtues of those knightsin days gone by,plus the flattery (seeking favor?)of Elizabeth the First. As my doctor friend in Israelmade clearwords translate into consequences,pressing their impressionson too receptive…

  • Those golden years

    Richard SobelKibbutz Revivim, Israel “I’ve only ever had one wrinkle, and I’m sitting on it.” Jeanne Clement was one hundred ten years old but cheerful and lucid when she made that remark during an interview. She may still have been smoking: she stopped only when her vision became too poor to see the cigarette well…