On the Margins of Everything: Doing, Performing, and Staging Science in Homeopathy

Social conditions of homeopathic knowledge and treatment as opposed to scientific standards are outlined and some light is shed on homeopathy as affected by science on three levels: homeopathic research, education, and everyday work.

Abstract

Although it seems scientifically implausible, holistically oriented forms of alternative and complementary medicine (ACM) have become popular over the past few years. Homeopathy is considered to be one of the most widespread, heterogeneous, and controversial of these therapies. Science works as a generator of professional identity in such groups of medical outsiders. This article is based on extensive research on homeopathic communities conducted over several years. It will outline social conditions of homeopathic knowledge and treatment as opposed to scientific standards and will shed some light on homeopathyas affected by science onthree levels: homeopathicresearch, education, and everyday work. Since the area of medical science and research affects homeopathic practice but not vice versa, this article will also highlight the challenge of “doing science” in a still marginalized field.