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New Books Network

Ibn Butlan, "The Doctors' Dinner Party: A Satirical Novella " (NYU Press, 2023)

Mar 8, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Jeremy Farrell, a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at Leiden University and co-author of a translation of Ibn Buṭlān's novella, shares insights on 'The Doctor's Dinner Party.' He discusses the sharp satire of medical incompetence and how the story reflects on modern medical debates like misinformation. The dialogue-driven narrative showcases a clash between experienced physicians and a young doctor, blending humor with deep medical knowledge. Jeremy also highlights the challenge of translating humor while retaining the text's essence for today's readers.
43:49

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Ibn Butlan's satirical novella critiques the medical profession's incompetence through humor, reflecting ongoing debates about medical authority and misinformation today.
  • The translation of Ibn Butlan's work involves navigating cultural nuances and preserving humor, bridging 11th-century insights with contemporary concerns in the medical field.

Deep dives

Exploration of Ibn Butlan's Work

The discussion centers on Ibn Butlan's 11th-century satirical novella, The Doctor's Dinner Party, which offers a critical look at medical practitioners of his time. It follows a young doctor who encounters older physicians at a dinner, revealing their incompetence through humor and satire. This work not only highlights the failures within the medical community but also exposes the societal attitudes towards quackery and charlatanism, themes that resonate strongly in contemporary discussions about the medical profession. The conversational tone of the novella adds depth, allowing readers to engage with the characters' exchange and reflect on their relevance to modern medical practices.

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