Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Does the truth matter? We have been discussing a lot of topics associated with telling the truth. In medical science, the ever-changing discoveries make it really difficult to establish an objective truth, because science is always progressing and developing, changing medical positions on how to treat, advise, or prevent diseases. We also established that the truth is always supported by factual evidence while opinions are subjective thoughts that have nothing to do with the objective truth. For instance, bad weather and rain might have caused flooding (link and evidence) while some people get headaches when it rains (opinion). It turns out that people always historically considered the truth to be of principle value. As far back as 2100-2050 BC and 1760 BC, the first codes of laws, The Code of Ur-Nammu and Hammurabi Code, written in local languages of Mesopotamia and Babylon (today's Iraq, Syria and Turkey) showed a lot of interest in telling the truth. False statements and accusations were punished harshly, often by death, and false accusers were totally removed from the early societies. Certainly, the harshness and boldness of these laws were associated with a totally different world and mentality, but yet, the authors of the first codes wanted to present their laws as a base of order and uniformity in punishment. We cannot compare the early Codes to what we practice in law these days, but it turns out that original intent was not far from our laws: Innocent Until Proven Guilty comes exactly from these early codes. "The Mesopotamians had a system that put a lot of emphasis on getting to the truth of a case, using witnesses, oral testimony, and written evidence, and by having individuals swear oaths that they were telling the truth," Podany explains. "Oaths were particularly effective because of the people's profound belief that the gods would punish them if they lied under oath. A panel of judges heard a case, and scribes often recorded the events that took place during a trial. They show that the system was effective and trusted. It provided a way to avoid vigilante justice." How does that sound? How far is it from what we practice today? The early codes were also significant because they promoted the notion that justice ought to be fair and impartial. Through the codes, Hammurabi conveyed that he was a king who wanted to ensure that anyone, not just the rich and powerful, but even the poor, could obtain justice. As you can see, some 4000 years later, the purpose of establishing and following the laws is to come to objective facts and the truth. Whether it was scribbled on the stone or written on a computer, the need and the purpose of law has not changed. The system of establishing right from wrong has remained the same. Understanding the difference between fact and opinion is still crucial. And accountability for wrongdoing is still valid and should be enforced. It also turns out that old countries, like Iraq and Syria, often considered by us as the third world, used to be the beginning of what the modern work followed. At least to some level. It would be great to learn some lessons from ancient history and perhaps re-develop our respect and love for the truth rather than conspiracy. Not just in medicine but in life. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Does the truth matter ? We have been discussing a lot of topics associated with telling the truth . In medical science , the ever - changing discoveries make it really difficult to establish an objective truth , because science is always progressing and developing , changing medical positions on how to treat , advise , or prevent diseases . We also established that the truth is always supported by factual evidence while opinions are subjective thoughts that have nothing to do with the objective truth . For instance , bad weather and rain might have caused flooding ( link and evidence ) while some people get headaches when it rains ( opinion ) . It turns out that people always historically considered the truth to be of principle value . As far back as 2100-2050 BC and 1760 BC , the first codes of laws , The Code of Ur - Nammu and Hammurabi Code , written in local languages of Mesopotamia and Babylon ( today's Iraq , Syria and Turkey ) showed a lot of interest in telling the truth . False statements and accusations were punished harshly , often by death , and false accusers were totally removed from the early societies . Certainly , the harshness and boldness of these laws were associated with a totally different world and mentality , but yet , the authors of the first codes wanted to present their laws as a base of order and uniformity in punishment . We cannot compare the early Codes to what we practice in law these days , but it turns out that original intent was not far from our laws : Innocent Until Proven Guilty comes exactly from these early codes . " The Mesopotamians had a system that put a lot of emphasis on getting to the truth of a case , using witnesses , oral testimony , and written evidence , and by having individuals swear oaths that they were telling the truth , " Podany explains . " Oaths were particularly effective because of the people's profound belief that the gods would punish them if they lied under oath . A panel of judges heard a case , and scribes often recorded the events that took place during a trial . They show that the system was effective and trusted . It provided a way to avoid vigilante justice . " How does that sound ? How far is it from what we practice today ? The early codes were also significant because they promoted the notion that justice ought to be fair and impartial . Through the codes , Hammurabi conveyed that he was a king who wanted to ensure that anyone , not just the rich and powerful , but even the poor , could obtain justice . As you can see , some 4000 years later , the purpose of establishing and following the laws is to come to objective facts and the truth . Whether it was scribbled on the stone or written on a computer , the need and the purpose of law has not changed . The system of establishing right from wrong has remained the same . Understanding the difference between fact and opinion is still crucial . And accountability for wrongdoing is still valid and should be enforced . It also turns out that old countries , like Iraq and Syria , often considered by us as the third world , used to be the beginning of what the modern work followed . At least to some level . It would be great to learn some lessons from ancient history and perhaps re - develop our respect and love for the truth rather than conspiracy . Not just in medicine but in life . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net