Abstract

This article presents the foundations of a sensitive, interdisciplinary, and intercultural science aimed at reimagining the relationships between health, society, and nature inspired by references and authors from the social and human sciences, transcending traditional boundaries of sociology, anthropology, and collective health. This is a reflective essay on epistemological, theoretical, and methodological issues, in which empirical and experiential basis stems from conceptual discussions and research on emancipatory health promotion among vulnerable territories and social groups, particularly Indigenous peoples and those from urban peripheries. The research and methodologies employed seek to produce knowledge collaboratively, rather than solely for the communities and territories involved. The article defends a paradigmatic transition that creates conditions for the coexistence of scientific and traditional knowledge systems in addressing social issues and struggles for health, dignity, and territorial rights. To better understand and overcome the limits of modern science, with its canons and specialized disciplines, this article proposes to rescue the wisdom lost by Eurocentric modernity in facing the various ongoing crises that have been plaguing the planet, Brazil, certain territories, and various ecosystems in accelerated degradation processes.

Keywords:
Interculturality; Interdisciplinarity; Paradigmatic transition; Traditional peoples; Health promotion