1. In his article Terris identifies several key themes characterizing the epidemiologic tradition, e.g., the relation to medical science, observation and experiment, etc. Please summarize and discuss three of those themes.
2. How do the themes Terris outlines relate to our discussion of the “epidemiologic perspective”? Specifically, are these themes consistent with our discussion in Lectures 2 and 3 (Parts I and II) of how epidemiology focuses on and pays attention to the world? Do they add anything to our understanding of the epidemiologic perspective? Do they challenge the points we articulated? Please be sure to elaborate your response.
3. In the last paragraph of his article, Terris states “Even more central to the epidemiologic tradition is an admonition by Horace Mann…which undoubtedly reflects the basic motivation of ….a host of .. epidemiologists: ‘Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.’ I would only add: however small.”
In ending with this quote Terris is making the point that epidemiologists shouldn’t just study disease, they should also try to use that information to improve the world, that doing so is an integral part of the tradition.
One could argue that Sandro Galea in his article very much embraces and builds on Terris’ point here. Please summarize briefly Galea’s critique of epidemiology and explain how it relates to this final point made by Terris in his article.