Abstract
This paper presents a historical rescue of occupational therapy, composed of individual and collective memories of the Brazilian context, indicating elements that constitute its identity and its field of knowledge The historical and epistemological research analyzed, from the cartographic method, the relations between singular and plural characteristics of five occupational therapists and their professional trajectories dedicated to the construction of knowledge in the area. From the narratives of these interlocutors, it was noticeable the collective construction of stories of the profession in their contexts, highlighting common aspects of their experiences and the plurality of production in the field. We highlight 14 categories that relate to: the unknown and the incipient graduation; the need for continuing education; the repression and resistance of the Military Regime; the political organization of the category; investment in occupational therapy research; understanding of specificities; adoption/enunciation of perspectives, methods or fields; support networks; criticism of academic-scientific standards; enchantment by profession; satisfaction in producing; female protagonism and knowledge linked to practice. The plurality of this field of knowledge is evidenced by professionals, as well as by the weaving of a knowledge network. We identified the challenges, support networks, criticisms, enchantments, protagonism, productions, and diverse perspectives by valuing the solidarity between the singularities that build the plurality of this professional identity. In this understanding, the knowledge is a procedural theoretical-methodological construct effected in networks of affective and ethical relationships, although it coexists with the hegemonic hierarchy of fields, themes, and groups.
Keywords:
Occupational Therapy/Trends; Knowledge/Epistemology; History; Culture