Resumen

SILVA AYCAGUER, Luis Carlos. Reflections on a disconcerting book from the public health viewpoint. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2009, vol.35, n.3. ISSN 0864-3466.

The present paper delved into the contents of the book entitled "Salud Ecológica" from the public health viewpoint. Although this is a text that gathers information of historical and cultural values, and contains pertinent denunciations of several mercantilist expressions having negative impact on the population´s health, it is a failed book from the scientific viewpoint. The book combines esoterism-based statements, the defense of creationist currents and unsubstantiated praises of several diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, together with markedly deficient management of literature. It not only reflects the position of the authors but also represents a school of thought at odds with basic ontological, epistemological and public health elements. The critical appraisal presented here from conventional logics and rationality opens up the possibilities for debate, which is fundamental for the genuine defense of the collective health.

Palabras clave : Pseudoscience; creationism; Edward Barch; public health; scientific communication.

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