Il buon uso sociale dell’antropologia medica. Un’antropologia per capire, per agire, per impegnarsi

This introductory essay provides an outline of the speeches presented at the 2nd national conference of the Italian Society of Medical Anthropology, having by title For a good social use of medical anthropology: an anthropology to understand, to act, to commit (University of Perugia, 14th – 16th of June 2018). Almost a year after the death of its founder and president Tullio Seppilli, SIAM and Angelo Celli Foundation for a culture of health intended to remember him by promoting a broad reflection about main themes of medical anthropology. In this issue we present a part of the panel “Research theories and methods” (coordinators: Fabio Dei, University of Pisa - Roberto Malighetti, University of Milano-Bicocca). The panel had the purpose of highlighting some theoretical, methodological and epistemological problems around which today’s debate of medical anthropology is articulated as: epistemological and philosophical grounds of medical anthropology (Roberto Malighetti and Chiara Dolce); etics and relationship problems in hospital units and migrant emergency setting (Elisa Pasquarelli and Annamaria Fantauzzi); the clash between paradigms of medical anthropology and of evidence-based medicine (Fausto Barlocco); photo elicitation method of inquiry (Manuela Vinai); reproductive injustices in relation to childbirth assistance (Chiara Quagliariello); preternatural pathogenesis in popular medicine in Sicily (Pier Mannella). The issue is introduced by a memory of Tullio Seppilli written by Paola Falteri.