The minimisation of bias, the systematic deviation of results or inferences from truth, is a fundamental principle of medical research.1 Special care is taken by researchers to avoid and control for the 56 distinct types of bias catalogued.2 Yet the origin of the term “bias” remains obscure.3 Might it have originated from Bias of Priene, who lived in the 6th century bc?
Bias of Priene was one of the seven sages of classical antiquity. These were the jet-setting academics of the ancient world, who were praised for their maxims and consulted for their wisdom. Bias was even nominated for an early equivalent of the Nobel prize, a bronze tripod awarded to the wisest man, although he refused to accept it, believing that the god Apollo was more deserving.4 His claim as the namesake of bias comes from an account by Herodotus.5
Like many wealthy men, Croesus, king of Lydia, wished to expand his sphere of influence. He consulted Bias about the best way to deploy warships against the Ionians of the Aegean islands. Bias wished to avoid bloodshed, and so he misled Croesus, falsely advising him that the Ionians were buying 10 000 horses with which to make a pre-emptive strike against Croesus. Croesus believed Bias, cancelled his warship programme, and immediately began preparing a land campaign against the Ionians. Bias confessed to Croesus that he had lied and that the Ionians were also building warships. Croesus was pleased with the way that he had been deceived by Bias and made peace with the Ionians.4
Some of the maxims attributed to Bias by Diogenes Laertius are echoed in a modern list of biases in analytic research.2,4 These include
“Even chance brings abundance of wealth to many” (allocation bias)
“Admit the existence of Gods” (apprehension bias)
“If a man is unworthy, do not praise him because of his wealth” (obsequiousness bias)
“Make wisdom your provision for the journey from youth to old age; for it is a more certain possession than all other possessions” (anticipation bias).
His apophthegm, or maxim by which he is remembered, is: “All men are bad”—an unambiguous example of selection bias.
Footnotes
We welcome articles up to 600 words on topics such as A memorable patient, A paper that changed my practice, My most unfortunate mistake, or any other piece conveying instruction, pathos, or humour. If possible the article should be supplied on a disk. Permission is needed from the patient or a relative if an identifiable patient is referred to.
References
- 1.Last JM, editor. A dictionary of epidemiology. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2001. [Google Scholar]
- 2.Sackett DL. Bias in analytic research. J Chron Dis. 1979;32:51. doi: 10.1016/0021-9681(79)90012-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.The Oxford English dictionary. 2nd ed. Oxford: Clarendon Press; 1989. [Google Scholar]
- 4.Herodotus . The histories, book 1,[27]. Translated by Wakefield R. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1998. [Google Scholar]
- 5.Diogenes Laertius . Lives of eminent philosophers. Translated by Hicks RD. London: Heinemann; 1972. [Google Scholar]