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A Pragmatist Approach to the Problem of Knowledge in Health Psychology

Glasgow Caledonian University, UK, flora.cornish{at}gcal.ac.uk

Alex Gillespie

University of Stirling, UK

The multiplicity of forms of health-related knowledge, including biomedical knowledge, lay knowledge and critical constructionist knowledge, raises challenges for health researchers. On one hand, there is a demand for a pluralist acceptance of the variety of health-related knowledge. On the other, the need to improve health calls for action, and thus for choices between opposing forms of knowledge. The present article proposes a pragmatist approach to this epistemological problem. According to pragmatism, knowledge is a tool for action and as such it should be evaluated according to whether it serves our desired interests. We identify implications for research methodology and the choice of research goals.

Key Words: epistemology • lay knowledge • medical knowledge • methodology • pragmatism

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 14, No. 6, 800-809 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1359105309338974


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