Mechanism and Morality in Patients' Views of Illness and Injury

Abstract

In this article I examine the ways in which patients discussed illnesses and injuries as life events in structured, open‐ended interviews. I show how explanation (identifying cause) and interpretation (identifying reason) were brought together, linking mechanism with morality. Respondents, rather than merely juxtaposing or contrasting mechanism and morality, joined them by using a psychologized view of human beings centering on the notion of “stress.” I claim that “stress” as a coupling element is now a culturally available medico‐moral concept in the United States that allows “fact” and “value” to interpenetrate. Although some physicians and stress researchers use “stress” as a medico‐moral term, they appear to desocialize it, whereas the study's respondents implicated “stress” in actions and interactions evaluated as undesirable or wrong. As a bridge‐symbol, “stress” parallels multivocal ritual and sacred symbols.