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.
