Habermasian knowledge interests: epistemological implications for health sciences

Abstract

The Habermasian concept of 'interest' has had a profound effect on the characterization of scientific disciplines. Going beyond issues unrelated to the theory itself, intra-theoretical interest characterizes the specific ways of approaching any science-related discipline, defining research topics and methodologies. This approach was developed by Jürgen Habermas in relation to empirical-analytical sciences, historical-hermeneutics sciences, and critical sciences; however, he did not make any specific references to health sciences. This article aims to contribute to shaping a general epistemological framework for health sciences, as well as its specific implications for the medical and nursing areas, via an analysis of the basic knowledge interests developed by Habermas.

Fundamental care and knowledge interests: Implications for nursing science

“…Nursing science is situated in a dynamic field between natural, human and social sciences (Scheel et al., ). Defining its knowledge interests would help to clarify its epistemological positioning and practices (Granero‐Molina et al., ; Khushf, ). In addition, there is also a need for frameworks that incorporate patients’ basic needs into nursing reflection, clinical practice and research (Kitson et al., ).…”

“…Health sciences are defined by a set of knowledge, whose object of study is the recuperation or maintenance of human health and the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness, together with patient care (Granero‐Molina, Fernández‐Sola, Muñoz, & Aranda, ). Currently, they encompass knowledge disciplines such as medicine, pharmacology, physiotherapy or nursing.…”

“…But in specific illness context, the reality goes beyond what theory can explain and what is statistically significant is not always clinically relevant (Fawcett, ). The result of this is the generation of theoretical knowledge that focuses on the unchangeable rather than on what is born, changes and dies (Granero‐Molina et al., ). This concept of theory marginalises individuals’ experiences and means accepting the difficulty of a holistic vision of human health.…”

“…However, Habermas says nothing about the health sciences, where the predominance of interests characterises the theoretical grounding and methodological approach of the knowledge disciplines (Granero‐Molina et al., ). Medicine and biomedicine, guided by an eminently technical knowledge interest, play a prominent role in research and progress in the health sciences (Risjord, ).…”

Service action research: review and guidelines

“…With respect to the three types of knowledge interest (Habermas, 1972;Granero-Molina et al, 2015), most of the reviewed papers focus on technical knowledge interest and use empirical data to explain and analyze frameworks or models that were derived from earlier research. The second most common is practical knowledge interest, which is followed by the least common of the three, emancipatory knowledge interest.…”