A tese da incomensurabilidade kuhniana e sua utilização pela enfermagem

Abstract

The object of study of this dissertation is Thomas Kuhn's thesis of incommensurability between paradigmatic traditions in his writings after the publication of 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions' (SSR) and its use in Nursing Science. It is necessary to reflect on the intricacies surrounding the process underlying this debate, aiming to identify its vicissitudes and limitations and, through this understanding, to philosophically judge the efforts undertaken within Nursing Science in its self-affirmation as an area of knowledge. The working hypothesis is to identify whether the Kuhnian thesis undergoes transformation, allowing for a dialogue between the previous paradigm term and its successor. The following research problem was formulated: how can the thesis of incommensurability in his post-SSR writings be applied to Nursing Science? In order to respond to this problem and analyze the hypothesis formulated, the following objectives were elaborated, namely: to identify the bases that form the thesis of incommensurability and the main criticisms faced by Kuhn; to identify in Kuhn's post-SSR writings whether or not there was a reformulation of the incommensurability thesis and to analyze its use in dealing with a scientific fact, a medical condition known as 'decubitus bed sore', in the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, within the scope of Nursing Science. Kuhn's work suffered incisive criticism, notably by Karl Popper and Imre Lakatos, classifying him, respectively, as relativist and irrationalist. This criticism was the object of the philosopher's reflection, pointed out in the text: 'Reflection on my critics'. It is recognized that the thesis of incommensurability is at the heart of the criticism undertaken by Popper and Lakatos and, even today, it arouses controversy among the various scholars of Kuhnian's text, whether they are defenders or opponents of it. After the criticisms, some interpreters point to a reformulation of the incommensurability thesis. It borrows from other scholars on the subject, notably Hoyningen-Huene, Howard Sankey and Stefano Gattei, seeking to reignite the debate on the thesis of incommensurability and its classification between total and local. Kuhn claims that since the very beginning when he first used the term incommensurability, he meant it as a metaphor and that local incommensurability is the original meaning. Taking, then, the local incommensurability, its use is plausible for analyzing the scientific fact, the medical condition 'decubitus bed sore' by Nursing Science. There are two existing paradigms in the historiography of this science, namely: the empirical paradigm and its successor, the Nightingale paradigm. These paradigms underlie its professional and scientific development. The permanence of the term and its conceptualization is notable among these paradigms. Conclusion: the local incommensurability is applicable for the evaluation of Nursing Science in dealing with the scientific fact, the medical condition 'decubitus bed sore'. This term and the concept remained unchanged throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, as identified in the 'Nursing Notes - what is and what is not' and in the 'Manual of Nursing Techniques'. Its reformulation began to take shape in the 21st century due to the scientific development of pathophysiology, when the term and concept of pressure injury were changed.