An Anthropology on Mars by Oliver Sacks - Essay Example

Instruction: Task: English Life is a matter of trials and errors hence there is a fundamental need for humanity to live harmoniously without acrimony. This suggests that; while there are the joys of life, it also has its fair share of tribulations that are uncontrollable. However, such setbacks can be prevented in terms of using medical practices that are safe. Therefore, Oliver Sacks his 1995 book of essays An Anthropology on Mars expounds on seven case studies that important for discussion. For example, by making analysis of conditions and syndromes of his patients and former colleagues, he allows readers to understand several issues (Sacks 145). These include the study on the workings of the brain and the body system and their relation with the diseases that affect most of his subjects. In other words, the author intends to make the audience understand the connection between the concepts of normality and handicap conditions in the life. The writer’s method of investigation is called neurological analysis because he is a trained neurologist. Therefore, he decides to treat his subjects individually by using case studies. Similarly, the decision to approach the cases at an individual level allows the author to understand the neurological problems each of the persons being investigated. Alternatively, the use of one person at a time in a case study allows for closer scrutiny and analysis in terms of the repercussions of existence in a different environment. In the same scope, the ability to analyze at a time permits the readers to compare and contrast the seven cases studies that are written in the form of essays by the author in his book (Sacks 124). This is through identifying the problems discussed and the resulting consequences of each patient in his/her unique world. Furthermore, the decision to approach the investigation in the form of case studies is making it easy for alternations and adjustments especially if there is a discovery in the scientific world. Consequently, that suggests that the cases in the book are treated independently for analysis especially when a critical addition is to be made. On the other hand, the author’s approach allows for more time to collect data and information that may suit different case studies at any time. Therefore, there several ways that the writer discovers the individuals discussed in the essays. For example, the case studies involve his former patients who had visited his office and explained their ailments. The people studied in the essays also involve former colleagues and patients thus understanding their neurological conditions and superseding ailment. This case is exemplified in the Case of the Colorblind Painter who finds that his perception of colors is lost after a horrible accident. Similarly, from the comprehension of the working of visions, the author expounds on the working of the brain and how it affects optical nerves and other related reflexes (Sacks 134). On the other hand, another method to discover individuals is through understanding of some medical conditions that affect citizens as noted in A Surgeon’ Life concerning his colleague. In the case analysis, Sacks explains the symptoms of Tourrette’s Syndrome and the tactics of adjustment when infected. Alternatively, the writer makes startling discoveries about individuals based on the debilitating conditions constantly mentioned in the book that affect most citizens in American and around the world. This suggests the main intention of discovery is to bring the fore the issues of humanity and the best ways having them treated. There is an interesting matter concerning whether people the author studies are either patients or subjects. I think they are both patients and subjects in the context of the neurological study by the author. First, they are patients because there are several diagnoses concerning their conditions and syndromes. For instance, the case studies entail the struggle of each person with a condition that is both painful and hard to live in terms of peaceful existence. In the same context, they are subjects in several interesting ways that are interesting. In other words, he uses his former patients and colleagues as subjects they help readers to understand the true information of many syndromes. This helps in decision making for readers who may be suffering from the conditions and syndromes mentioned in the book (Sacks 124). Similarly, it is the jurisdiction of the author to explain the symptoms and scientific findings of the diseases affecting his former patients and colleagues. This suggests that he has control over the patients in terms of prescription and diagnosis of finding preventive measures and curative strategies. On that prospect, there are numerous ways in, which a disease affects the perception of individuals. For example, in terms of an individual knowing him/herself, a disease affects the state of the senses such as smell, sight, and taste among others making a person conscious. Therefore, if there is a problem with a person’s eyes, there will be the effect in the vision and the brain perception will change to a sick condition. Additionally, the symptoms of a disease enable an individual to view things in a broader sense in terms of finding solutions and cure for the condition. However, it is also essential to observe that diagnosis and counseling services accorded to a patient helps a patient in understanding the alternatives between life and death (Sacks 111). This begins by acknowledging that diseases cause stress and depression especially life threatening conditions such as the ones described by Oliver Sacks in An Anthropology on Mars. In the same perspective, serious conditions and syndromes such as the ones affecting most of Sack’s patients and former colleagues is a manifestation of the futility of life. In other words, it makes individuals understand that there are superior forces beyond their reach that brings diseases and kills. Therefore, there are interesting issues in understanding whether the concepts are normality or just a handicap. For example, the case studies involving the surgeon, the painter and the young autistic child is a depiction of a handicap that cannot be controlled. This also means certain conditions and syndromes that affect people in life is attached to forces of normality that is beyond the control of human knowledge. Similarly, it indicates a state of helplessness that assails humanity especially when there is nothing to be done in life. On that consequence, from the normality concept where behavior is inherent in people, handicap condition is unavoidable. It means reading of these essays assists in the alteration of behavior among human beings in terms of eating healthy foods and exercising (Sacks 156). Consequently, the essay explains the vulnerability of human beings in the concept of normality in relation to handicap conditions. For example, while human beings strive to live a normal way in the community full of challenges, handicap issues are natural and cannot be controlled. In the same breadth, it is upon humanity to find amicable ways of treating and controlling such conditions without comprising the safety of humanity in terms of harmful practices. On that note, there should be more research on neurological studies to help in identifying the causes and effects syndromes affecting humanity. This starts by sensitizing readers on the prevention methods of various syndromes that lead to stress and early deaths as exemplified in case studies by Oliver Sacks in his essays (Sacks 109). Alternatively, it is critical to find better methods of treating the life threatening conditions to enhance human productivity to avoid the effect on people’s careers. Similarly, there is a urgent need to encourage for other methods of treatment such as the use of counseling and therapy to reduce extra expenses. Work Cited Sacks, Oliver. An Anthropologist on Mars. New York, NY: Pan Macmillan. 2011. Print. Read More