Neuro-epistemology: a post-modernist analysis of the neuro-sciences: research

Abstract

This paper examines the theoretical framework in which we construct our terms of reference when examining patients from an integrated Meyerian biopsychosocial perspective. We coin the term iยDneuro-epistemologylo, defining the frame for scientific inquiry into the nature and status of knowledge in neuro-sciences, drawing on a post-modernist, social constructionist framework. The framework is then applied in a review of defining what can be ยco-created(tm) with patients, given the inter-subjective nature of knowledge, the self-reflexive relationship between meanings and behaviour in mental illness and the relationship between knowledge and power. The role of mental frameworks, or presuppositions, in guiding one(tm)s choice of research methodology, protocol, experimental tools and hypotheses is explored. The analysis points to the closed nature of the scientific domain in mental health, and the exploration of consciousness and emotions. These principles are applied to the field of neuro-science, including the assumptive framework upon which the dominant discourse in this field is based, which ultimately serves to maintain the hegemony of that status quo. Case examples are used to demonstrate how the application of an integrated approach to mental health draws on an informed, co-created neuro- epistemology.
Hierdie artikel ondersoek die teoretiese raamwerk waarin ons, ons terme van verwysing konstrueer met verwysing na die ondersoeking van pasiรซnte vanuit 'n geรฏntegreerde Meyeriaanse biopsigososiale perspektief. Ons ontwikkel die term ieneuro-epistemologiel"ย wat die raamwerk vir wetenskaplike studies na die aard en status van neurowetenskappe omvat en op 'n post-moderne, sosiaal-konstruktiewe raamwerk gebaseer is. Die raamwerk word dan in 'n oorsig toegepas, om te definieer wat ko-konstruksie met pasiรซnte kan behels, gegewe die intersubjektiewe aard van kennis, die self-refleksiewe verhouding tussen betekenisse en gedrag in geestesversteuring en die verhouding tussen kennis en mag. Die rol van kognitiewe raamwerke, of vooronderstellings, in die keuse van navorsingsmetodologie, protokol, eksperimentele toerusting en hipoteses word ondersoek. Die ontleding dui op die geslote aard van die wetenskaplike domein in geestesgesondheid en die ondersoeking van bewussyn en emosies. Hierdie beginsels word toegepas in die veld van neurowetenskap, insluitende die aangenome raamwerk waarop die dominante diskoers in hierdie veld gebaseer is, wat uiteindelik tot die instandhouding van die hegemonie van daardie status quo bydra. Gevallestudies word voorgehou om aan te dui hoe die toepassing van 'n geรฏntegreerde benadering tot geestesgesondheid op 'n ingeligte neuro- epistemologie wat deur ko-konstruksie gekenmerk word, gebaseer is.
Health SA Gesondheid Vol.9(2) 2004: 54-66