A current problem in scientific knowledge production is the rationality myth in research practice. On the other hand, when considering the concrete man concept supporting the idea that man plays an active role in the world, one cannot disregard the unavoidable emotional dimension. In this sense, one must take into account that reason is indivisible from emotion in the knowledge process. As a contribution to organizational studies this paper introduces a methodological discussion on historical and social/cultural psychology, mainly focusing on man and knowledge production concepts as approached in social studies. The main argument in this paper is that emotion is positive in social research practice. After a theoretical and conceptual discussion, an experiment is shown, carried out in a mental hospital by one of the authors, empirically revealing how scientific knowledge can be built on the researcher's emotion and implication.
Research practice; Emotion; Rationality; Activity; Knowledge