Anonimity, ethics and validity: Multi-sited fieldwork into Thai integral healing

Authors

  • Marco Roncarati SOAS, University of London

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22582/am.v3i1.141

Abstract

The mainstay of my fieldwork, covering a one-year period until September 2000, revolved around the study of traditional healers and health care developments within the context of Thai Buddhism. This paper attempts to look at certain ‘challenges’ many anthropologists face when in the field and when ‘writing up’, particularly with regard to the identity of those studied, the validity of their experiences, and related ethical matters. With reference to a case study it is argued that, in order to enhance understanding, knowledge in its various forms needs to be contextualised, while consciousness is more usefully understood as capable of being developed to ‘higher’ levels beyond the ‘mental-rational’ level to more adequately reflect the reality of ‘supernatural’ phenomenon described by the anthropologist’s informants.

Author Biography

Marco Roncarati, SOAS, University of London

Marco Roncarati is a post-fieldwork PhD student at SOAS currently writing up his thesis with over twenty years of interest in oriental healing and health practices, especially massage, acupuncture, Tai Chi and meditation. After achieving degrees in economics and economic development (which he taught at universities in Thailand for six years) he decided that the tools of anthropology would better allow him to pursue research into the knowledge, beliefs and practices of Thai traditional healers. He has written weekly articles for a Thai periodical in the past and a book based on his research is due to be published this year in both Thai and English.

Downloads

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2001): Anthropology Matters Journal

Section

Articles

License

Anthropology Matters uses the Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license. Individual contributors retain non-exclusive rights to their published material and may reproduce their contribution in whole or in part and use it as the basis for future articles, book chapters, or other works.