Abstract
This paper is based upon systematic documentary research on two homeopathic journals circulating in Brazil between 2002 and 2015. Even though we are in a position to know that homeopathic preparations are but placebo pills, the homeopathic doctrine enjoys a considerable degree of social and institutional recognition in Brazil. This paper describes and analyzes the main legitimation strategies homeopaths deploy in order to shield the doctrine from criticisms coming from the scientific community. As a result, I identify and discuss two opposing strategies which reflect a conflict within the homeopathic culture. These are labeled the scientificist and the culturalist approaches, the latter being of particular interest since it entails an instrumentalization of the theoretical framework from the social sciences.
Keywords:
Sociology of ideas; Homeopathy; Complementary and alternative medicine; Legitimation; Agnotology