Max Bill’s concrete art, as an instrument against irrational thinking and arguments in medicine

Abstract

Abstract   Medicine is currently confronted with an increase in irrationality, and non-scientific thinking manifesting in semingly more holistic and natural treatment options, especially in cancer therapy. The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that irrational beliefs are widely spread even among physicians. Max Bill (1908–94) was a Swiss architect, designer, and artist representing an art style called concrete art that focuses on geometrical abstraction and mathematical thinking. December 9, 2024, will be the 30th death anniversary of Max Bill. The following manuscript describes Max Bill’s life and art and tries to offer some suggestions on how his concept of art together with the philosophy of critical rationalism may be excellent instruments to teach medical students and young doctors scientific thinking, and may even be an antidote for irrationality in medicine.