Systems Thinking about Chronic Illness: Scientific Controversies and Gatekeeping

University of Innsbruck, 8–9 July, 2025
Faculty of Catholic Theology, Karl-Rahner Platz 1, Dekanaatsitzungssaal

Health science is vulnerable to infiltration by bad science or pseudoscience, and relies heavily on gatekeeping to maintain its integrity. Gatekeeping, though necessary, is perilous. The history of science shows that gatekeepers may let in bad science or pseudoscience while keeping out important new ideas, due to cultural waves or commitment to entrenched frameworks. In the science of chronic illness, there is reason to think that just this is happening. The orthodox “biomedical model”, which posits body-mind dualism and sharp disciplinary boundaries, falls short in understanding and treating chronic illnesses, especially those for which clear physical causes are elusive. Yet promising systems-thinking alternatives, which posit mind-body unity and strong interdisciplinarity, are often dismissed by gatekeepers – including scientists, regulators, patient advocacy groups, and the media – as bad science or pseudoscience. Poor gatekeeping in health science can have disastrous consequences for patients and society. This interdisciplinary workshop brings together health psychologists, medical scientists, and philosophers of science to understand the situation and explore a way forward – both for chronic-illness research, and for illuminating the promise and pitfalls of gatekeeping in health science.

Tuesday, 8 July

Wednesday, 9 July