The aim of this paper is to convey the relevance of a Gramscian perspective in medical anthropology, stressing his anti-essentialist way of reasoning about 'nature'. The author claims that Gramsci's understanding of the bodily life of the state can deconstruct naturalized realities in ways that are helpful for the ethnographer engaged in the political anthropology of embodiment and the managment of health, persons and life itself. An attempt is made, first, to frame the relevance of Gramsci for Italian medical anthropology and, second, to explore the components of the Gramscian concept of 'second nature' within the perspective that he himself calls 'an anthropology'. Third, an example is given of how the proposed Gramscian insights could inform an ethnography of the biopolitical aspects for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease, which is currently being carried out in Perugia.
Second nature: on Gramsci's anthropology
PIZZA, Giovanni
2012
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to convey the relevance of a Gramscian perspective in medical anthropology, stressing his anti-essentialist way of reasoning about 'nature'. The author claims that Gramsci's understanding of the bodily life of the state can deconstruct naturalized realities in ways that are helpful for the ethnographer engaged in the political anthropology of embodiment and the managment of health, persons and life itself. An attempt is made, first, to frame the relevance of Gramsci for Italian medical anthropology and, second, to explore the components of the Gramscian concept of 'second nature' within the perspective that he himself calls 'an anthropology'. Third, an example is given of how the proposed Gramscian insights could inform an ethnography of the biopolitical aspects for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease, which is currently being carried out in Perugia.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
