Abstract
This paper sees health as religion through the lens of social theory, starting with classical sociology. The common point being that religion is about the social bond ('relgio' in Latin), to be a society we keep something sacred. Since classical sociology the breaking down of religion has continued. The question is then if we keep anything sacred today to live together socially? The paper suggests that we keep health sacred. Although we discuss health endlessly it is hard to question the value of health as such.
To facilitate the discussion of the not-articulated presuppositions of sociality the paper uses the vocabulary of discourse analysis and calls health a hegemon. Pointing out that it is not a consensus but a sedimentation that prevent us from being against health. But this cannot only be seen as a limitation of personal freedom, but also - through the lens of social theory - as a historical a priori for living together.
To facilitate the discussion of the not-articulated presuppositions of sociality the paper uses the vocabulary of discourse analysis and calls health a hegemon. Pointing out that it is not a consensus but a sedimentation that prevent us from being against health. But this cannot only be seen as a limitation of personal freedom, but also - through the lens of social theory - as a historical a priori for living together.
Original language | English |
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Publication date | Aug 2010 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2010 |
Event | Health and Religion - København, Denmark Duration: 13 Sept 2010 → 15 Sept 2010 |
Conference
Conference | Health and Religion |
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Country/Territory | Denmark |
City | København |
Period | 13/09/10 → 15/09/10 |
Keywords
- Health
- discourse theory
- religion
- social theory
- socialanalytik