Of cabbages and kings: some considerations on classifications, diagnostic schemes, semiology, and concepts.

Abstract

Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made. Otto von Bismark To the extent to which a new classification of seizures resembles a law or a sausage, it might be preferable to ignore how the classification is made. In the special ar- ticles that follow, we choose to take the opposite ap- proach. These articles will expose to public scrutiny some of the deliberations and debate in this controversial area. Peter Wolf submitted the lead article. I asked Drs. Engel, Luders, Avanzini, and Berg to provide responses. All articles were subject to peer-review and revision. These authors have debated their points of view for years. The thought underlying their positions has educa- tional value, even in the absence of a full consensus. The articles in this section occasionally refer to per- sonalities or processes internal to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), the owner of this Jour- nal. I chose not to edit out such references, so the readers could see the sausage being made, but the primary pur- pose clearly is not criticism of persons or processes, but of ideas. Contrary to widespread opinion, the ILAE has not yet issued a suggested revised classification of sei- zures or syndromes. Discussion remains at the level of what such a classification should accomplish and com- prise. As we proceed, we might keep in mind the advice of Albert Einstein that "Things should be made as simple as possible—but no simpler." Few areas in epileptology will have such a great need for wise simplicity.