Critique, critical theory and systems theory in the medical humanities: a history and a call to action
mh.bmj.com
Medical humanities has a theory problem — and this article argues that only by fusing critical theory with systems thinking can the field finally reckon with biology, power, and human suffering together.
Critical TheorySystems TheoryBiopoliticsInterdisciplinarity
Theory Briefing
- The article argues no credible theory of human being can ignore biology, yet medical humanities has long sidelined the natural sciences.
- Critical theory's focus on power and systems theory's focus on interconnected complexity are positioned as complementary tools for rethinking medicine.
- The piece issues a direct call to action, urging medical humanities scholars to move beyond critique into structural, systems-level intervention.