Why is the ritual aspect of many ethnomedical traditions so perplexing to westerners?
A) There is an assumption in biomedicine that the mind is fundamentally different from the body.
B) We have no such rituals in our culture, and so do not understand why they are important.
C) There is evidence that ritual actually worsens the outcome of treatment.
D) Western cultures believe that the less fuss you make over an illness, the faster it will go away.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Western medicine is based on the Cartesian dualism belief that the mind and body are separate entities, leading to a focus solely on the physical symptoms of a disease. In contrast, ethnomedical traditions often view the mind and body as interconnected, leading to the incorporation of rituals and spiritual aspects in their healing practices. This fundamental difference in worldview creates a perplexity for Westerners when faced with the ritual aspect of these traditions.

Why Is the Ritual Aspect of Many Ethnomedical Traditions So