Summary
Dealing with quantity and diversity of symptoms, while searching to capture
the essence of a remedy, seem to be divergent aims, somewhat difficult to
reconcile. The atomistic viewpoint of symptom study is limited, both in the
health field in general and in homeopathy in particular, and can be
challenged to expand our understanding perspective. The present work
explores the subject through a multidimensional approach, including its
componential, vectorial, and informational aspects. Ontologically defined as
an open network of semiotic connections, the homeopathic symptom is explored
through its multilevel structure. Three fundamental levels are presented,
defined, and explained, as well as corresponding examples are given for each
one. Network aspects of levels are discussed and diagrammatically
represented, showing some of their organizational properties. A new approach
to studying remedies is proposed, based on the semantic network of the
repertory. Making it possible to visualize relevant links among symptoms,
the method allows characterizing specific expressions of a remedy, while
showing how they are related among themselves. It also makes it possible to
identify and graphically demonstrate attractor properties of symptom fields
in vital space.
Key words
Symptom - Remedy picture - Network - Repertory - Remedy essence - Semiology
