Epistemic projects: The launch of a social theoretical concept

This study entails the establishment and launch of the theoretical concept of epistemic projects. In two previous Gyllenberg-funded studies, we have shown how the brain and neuroscience are interwoven in peoples knowledge- and belief-based constructs about addiction. While there is consensus regarding the brain as a site of addiction (ontology), neither experts nor people living with addiction were convinced about this helping them and leading to good solutions for the problems. Communication plays the most crucial part in manifesting beliefs about the brain. In capturing this, we have introduced the notion of Epistemic projects (EP). This project refines and establishes the theoretical concept of EP as generally applicable to any phenomenon of which we are convinced of an established scientific truth (eating vegetables and exercising is healthy, vaccinations are important, smoking leads to cancer etc). We spell out its value for (i) social theory, with its existing theoretical tools pertaining to the spread of worldviews (ontology) and approaches to reality (epistemology) and for (ii) anthroposophic medicine, which has often been criticized for lacking theoretical precision of the ‘becoming’ of wellbeing and health.
Furthermore, during 2022 we are arranging a webinar.