Humanization is a key concept in recent proposals for the reconstruction of health practices toward a more comprehensive, effective and accessible care in Brazil. Although much effort has already been made to discuss and rebuild technologies and services planning, there is a comparatively scarce work upon theoretical and philosophical bases for these changes. This reflexive essay aims to explore the potential of Hermeneutics to respond to this essential task, if we are to a truly radical review of health practices meaning and organization. Contemporary hermeneutics is then revisited with regard to some of the ethical and epistemological challenges related to health practices humanization goals.
Humanization; Hermeneutics; Health practices; Philosophy; Gadamer; Habermas