A piece in yesterday's Times bemoaned the rise of degree courses that 'skirt science', after a table of universities with 'pseudo-scientific degrees' was compiled.
Among them, an MA in Naad yoga (healing through music), an MSc in Ayurvedic medicine, and a BSc in aromatherapy and therapeutic body work.
It's easy to dismiss these softer courses as unscientific and therefore less worthy.
But this disregards the bigger picture. I'm not sure about Naad yoga (which I confess I've not come across before), but Ayurveda is one of the world's most ancient, complete and thorough sciences.
Doctors, who are also trained in Western medicine, take a thorough, holistic view of the whole person that's often far more complete and effective than a GP's prescription of a few aspirins after a two-minute 'consultation'.
Perhaps the inclusion of degree courses that take a well rounded, holistic view of health and wellbeing should be welcomed rather than scorned.
Meanwhile, take a look at this YouTube clip of Naad Yoga:
