De las vidas ejemplares a las biografías colectivas de médicos. Una perspectiva crítica

Abstract

As a historical method biography has a long tradition in the studies of the history of medicine. Is perhaps one of the most classical and used methods, but is very difficult when is applied seriously. Many problems, especially form a psychological point of view -identity of the historian with the subject of the biography- can do the results of this approach be without interest. Parochialism and precursorism are circumstances that the historian must avoid too. Historically prosopography, the study of a collectivity of scientists, is a more recent method. Apparently is more objective, but required more effort. Both, biography and prosopography, can be very useful in the teaching of the history of medicine at present moment, specially when students have a very little knowledge of the greats paradigms of the present medicine.