Western Scientific Paradigm, Medicine, and Cultural Diversity

Western Scientific Paradigm, Medicine, and Cultural Diversity
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Throughout the history of humanity, variations and development in theory, practice, and technology happen as people and the society continue to re-establish and reframe such matters for progress sake. People continually realize the need for change in perspective and approach as certain individuals and groups recognize the mishits of the past and the present practices. Science has been re-evaluated for many times considering shifts in ideological foundations and paradigms (see Kuhn, 1962). In the case of health and medicine, the apparent clashes of scientific ideas and new practices are present as different healing perspectives continue to arise. Most of the times however, the western line of thinking always marked as ‘superior` among the rest. Clearly, we see through studying history and politics how and why western science and philosophy reigns against the ‘alternative` forms and practices existing in the world society.
Reflecting upon the literatures criticizing the nature of science and technology, we realize that the scientific community and practice is neither neutral nor apolitical (Kuhn, 1962; Jamison, 1994; Star, 1995; Dickson, 1984). In addition, western science and ideology dominates the world society not only in the case of health and medicine but also with other social approaches namely, politics and economics. These aspects of western political influences affect many things along the process as people continue to see the said perspective to be the ‘best` approach among the rest. The eastern and other ‘alternative` ideas and practices, particularly in the world of health and medicine, are normally patterned to substandard levels and to some extent, to quackery. Consequently, the cultural and social aspects of healing processes are at times being abolished and compromised for the benefit of continually adoring the powers and influence of western science and medicinal practices.
The western scientific paradigm is known for its objectivity, experiment and proof-laden foundation, procedural and systematic approach, and strict application of rules and standards (see Bannister, 1987). Because of the agreed effectiveness and validity of the approach—and perhaps of the political and economic influence, western practice has conquered world system in terms of approaches particularly in medicine and healing perspectives. In most healing establishes for both western and eastern societies, western practice is very prominent that at times, the indigenous and native form of medication and healing traditions are being disregarded in the pro...