Inferential schema in Akkadian diagnosis: the case of Ah̬h̬ a ¯ zu.

Abstract

The aim of this work is to analyze Akkadian medical diagnosis by examining the reasoning involved in the process. The analysis highlights the importance of uncertainty in the timeline of inference. While prognosis pertains to the future, diagnosis concerns something different; it relates to what has already occurred. It is proposed that the analysis would be incomplete without considering the roles of both the past and present within the inferential framework. Ancient medical diagnosis must be understood by accounting for the entire reasoning structure, which is not captured in a single text, for which reason it is necessary to analyze both the diagnostic and therapeutic kind. This work draws on translations of these texts by Assyriologists. Ancient medical science needs to be studied from multiple perspectives, and the logic and philosophy of science can help to gain a better understanding of its practice and methodology.