Imaginaries in Science and Health: Constructing Perceptions

Glaucio Aranha

Introduction

The concept of the imaginary has been widely discussed in various fields of knowledge, including philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and psychology. It refers to the collective representations that a society or group constructs about the world, influenced by myths, symbols, beliefs, and narratives that shape how people perceive and interpret reality. In the field of science and health, the imaginary plays a modelizing role in perceptions, acting as a bridge between the technical-scientific domain and the way societies perceive the knowledge produced in this sphere.

There is no single imaginary; rather, it is more appropriate to speak of imaginaries. Moreover, it is important to highlight that they are not mere fantasies or ideas detached from reality; on the contrary, they are modelizing semiotic systems that guide actions, behaviors, and daily decisions. In science, the imaginary is often expressed through metaphors that help popularize complex concepts, making them more comprehensible to the general public. For example, the representation of the brain as a “computer” or DNA as a “code” are scientific imaginary metaphors that influence both public perception and even how scientists think about human biology.

In health, the collective imaginary is equally significant. Beliefs about the body, diseases, and treatments vary over time, across geographical spaces, and according to cultural contexts, reflecting societal values and expectations. In many cultures, disease is not perceived merely as a biological issue but as a multifactorial phenomenon that may involve spiritual, psychological, and social dimensions. The imaginary of health also evolves as new technologies emerge. For example, advances in biotechnology generate hopes for a longer and healthier life while simultaneously raising anxieties about the ethical and moral limits of these innovations.

Furthermore, imaginaries influence the development of public health policies and scientific advancements. Decisions regarding vaccination, adoption of new medical technologies, and experimental treatments are profoundly shaped by the perceptions and representations the public holds about these practices. The acceptance or rejection of certain health measures largely depends on how these actions fit into the prevailing imaginaries in different societies.

Thus, imaginaries go beyond a mere set of abstractions, as they have concrete effects on how science and health are developed, managed, and applied, how policies are formulated, and how the population responds to these initiatives. Understanding the role of imaginaries in the fields of science and health allows us to explore the multiple layers that compose the construction of knowledge and its influence on social, cultural, and political spheres.

The realm of the imaginary offers, therefore, a symbolic framework through which society interprets and assimilates innovations and discoveries, influencing both scientific research and clinical practice. An in-depth analysis of how imaginaries impact scientific understanding and healthcare is an important issue that demands academic attention, highlighting its relevance for the development of more inclusive and effective practices in the health sector.

The Scientific Imaginary: Between Reality and Fiction

The scientific imaginary has an ambiguous nature, positioned at the threshold between empirical reality and speculative fiction. It is formed both by rigorous scientific knowledge and by myths and cultural narratives that interpret or extrapolate such knowledge. Science, as both practice and discourse, is often perceived by the public through symbolic and simplified representations, which help make it accessible but can also distort or exaggerate its true scope. Bruno Latour (2000) argues that scientific knowledge is always a social construction, constantly negotiated among different actors and represented in ways that influence both its practice and public reception. Thus, this imaginary must be understood both as a communication tool and as a field of tension between scientific truth and cultural expectations.

Science fiction is one of the main vectors for disseminating this imaginary, playing a central role in how science and technology are conceived by the public. Books, films, and television series frequently explore futuristic scenarios where science is both a solution and a threat. Classic examples such as Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley epitomize the power of the imaginary in projecting anxieties and hopes about scientific advances. These works reflect a constant concern: to what extent should science intervene in human life? Donna Haraway (1991) discusses how figures like the cyborg in science fiction reflect interactions between humans and technology, questioning the boundaries between nature and artifice. She emphasizes that these narratives go beyond mere speculation about the future, playing an active role in shaping how society thinks about science and its ethical implications.

These narratives are not limited to fiction. They often influence real debates on scientific ethics and responsibility. Discussions on biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and space exploration, for example, are deeply marked by imaginaries constructed over decades of media and literary representations. The works of Arthur C. Clarke (1962) exemplify how science fiction can extrapolate scientific and technological innovations, influencing popular imagination and creating expectations about what science might achieve in the future. The cloning of humans, initially seen as a fictional scenario in works like Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, became a real and ethical debate following the advent of mammal cloning. The impact of these representations on public perception and scientific policy cannot be underestimated, as they shape expectations and fears regarding what science can achieve and the risks involved.

Moreover, scientific discourse itself employs metaphors and narratives that feed the collective imaginary. Metaphors such as the “genetic code” to describe DNA or the “Big Bang” to explain the origin of the universe illustrate how science uses symbolic constructs to translate complex phenomena into more comprehensible terms. Gaston Bachelard (1996) argues that these metaphors are fundamental to the formation of scientific thought, allowing difficult concepts to be articulated and understood in new contexts. However, as Jean Baudrillard (1994) points out, these representations can create a hyperreality where the symbol becomes more significant than the reality it intends to represent, generating an illusory understanding of scientific phenomena. These metaphors, therefore, can create illusions of understanding, giving the public the impression that certain scientific concepts are simpler and more stable than they actually are.

The Imaginary in Health: Traditions, Beliefs, and Futurism

In the health sector, the imaginary is constructed from a complex network of traditions, beliefs, and expectations about the future. Throughout history, societies have built various narratives about the human body, diseases, and healing processes, based on both scientific knowledge and cultural and religious practices. These imaginaries help us understand how different populations deal with health, illness, and medicine. They directly influence people’s healthcare choices and impact public health policies.

Traditional medical systems, for example, play a significant role in the health imaginary. Since antiquity, medical systems such as Indian Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Western medicine based on Hippocratic principles have been influential forces shaping the way the body and diseases are understood. Bachelard (1996) reminds us that modern science emerged in dialogue—and often in rupture—with these traditions, incorporating elements of ancestral and cultural knowledge while still being directly influenced by the mental images consolidated in these traditions. These traditional practices continue to influence contemporary health imaginaries, where many people combine scientific medicine with alternative treatments, seeking a holistic approach that integrates both body and spirit.

Conclusion

As we progress through the 21st century, the imaginary surrounding health continues to be shaped by constantly evolving cultural, technological, and scientific forces. The future of health does not merely depend on the incorporation of new technologies or the discovery of innovative treatments; it also depends on how we imagine and understand health as a comprehensive concept. This process of mental image development (mental models) is influenced by the interaction between scientific knowledge, social values, public policies, and cultural expectations.

By recognizing that health is not only a biological issue but also a cultural and symbolic construction, we can better understand how imaginaries influence medical practice, public health policies, and society’s expectations regarding well-being and longevity. It is essential to critically analyze and question these imaginaries to ensure a more inclusive, equitable, and effective health system, considering the diverse perspectives that shape contemporary debates on science and health.