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Biomedicine: an ontological dissection
1Sociology Department, St. John Fisher College, 3690 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618, USA. dbaronov@sjfc.edu
Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics
|September 20, 2008
Summary
Biomedicine is understood through three distinct, interconnected ontological spheres: empirical science, cultural expression, and social power. Analyzing these spheres deepens the analytical concept of biomedicine in medical social sciences.
Area of Science:
- Medical Social Sciences
- Sociology of Science
- Philosophy of Medicine
Background:
- The term "biomedicine" is widely used but lacks a precise analytical definition in medical social sciences.
- Existing literature often treats biomedicine monolithically, overlooking its multifaceted nature.
Observation:
- Biomedicine can be analyzed through three distinct ontological spheres: empirical, interpretive, and conceptual.
- Each sphere frames biomedicine differently: as Western science, a cultural-symbolic system, or an expression of social power.
Findings:
- The empirical perspective views biomedicine as a derivative of Western science.
- The interpretive perspective highlights its role as a cultural expression with potential ideological underpinnings.
- The conceptual perspective identifies biomedicine as a manifestation of social power structures within capitalist societies.
Implications:
- Understanding these interconnected spheres is crucial for a comprehensive analytical grasp of biomedicine.
- This tripartite ontological framework illuminates the ongoing development and complexity of biomedicine.
- The study emphasizes the need for nuanced analysis of biomedicine, particularly during its formative period (late 19th/early 20th century).
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