Keywords: Health, Career, Philosophy, Care Philosophy, Care Domains

Citing this page:

Jones, P. (2006) Model and Atlas – Fused: Crossroads, Collisions and Ancient Mariners

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Model and Atlas – Fused Crossroads, Collisions and Ancient Mariners

The Serres-cruciform motif - figure 3 - is of course a fortunate co-incidence of syntax, semantics, nomenclature and form. When you look at Hodges’ model what do you see; a crossroads, junction, or collision? Is there a gap between care domains, or do concepts gradually fuse with their neighbours in adjacent domains? It is always easier to ask questions, but several must be raised at this juncture. What exactly is a nurse, patient, carer, or citizen doing when they complete the h2cm matrix? Why do they place concepts into one domain rather than another? What consistency is there between users and are there any objective metrics to assist? Is there a way here, a crossroads, a way to represent, present and share differing yet equally legitimate perspectives on the problems and issues that bind? How do we balance objective (mechanistic) and subjective (humanistic) health care? Are there only four domains? Who determines the number? Whatever our beliefs about the meaning of life, death, faith and why we are all here, the pastoral - spiritual 5th domain is missing. It is there - all four domains combined plus one word. The biggest question of all: the plaintiff asks - why?

Serres endeavours to provide a comprehensive map, which he calls an atlas. This atlas is not aimed at a specific audience, such as an atlas of the heavens, but incorporates all disciplines. The purpose of the atlas is not recognisable at first. The key is not presented to us. Serres’ work assaults the conventional academic senses. Like an explorer on a rope bridge, Serres runs the full length of the h2cm’s axes, back and forth reaching into the knowledge domains. Getting to grips with Serres’ thought means appreciating the uncertainty principle. We may know either the discipline where Serres currently resides, but not the instant of arrival or departure. As Serres wanders, quick, quick, slow, quantum leap, slow such frenzied activity gives the impression of somebody lost, rather than following a predetermined agenda. The symbols and objects presented are instantly recognisable, but their juxtaposition makes them strangely alien. To be fully understood the familiar needs to be reappraised.

In a paper dedicated to maps and frameworks Serres’ references to layers, fractures, tears, channels and intersection readily assume a cadastral appearance. Virtual worlds – geographical information systems are built bit-by-bit in data layers: topography, climate, communities, transport, political wards, facilities and demographics. Serres is also concerned with configurations of knowledge, what determines the order of the layers (Abbas, 2005, p.6).

Gibson (pp.84-98) explores the roads that comprise Serres’ crossroads (Abbas, 2005). Given this emphasis on travel, where are we travelling from? Are we presented with a Mediterranean abode comprising a series of mosaic terraced floors? Upon what level do we enter this building? Are the tiles smaller or just more detailed on the expert’s floor? What does the roof become - a single massive slab the cover to some Encyclopaedia Galactica? If so, what are we standing on? What is the foundation? In Rome (1981) Serres explains how the foundation of empire was based on violence. Civilization, great cultures, science – rationality: but when people become a mob they raise the buildings to the ground exposing the foundations. Serres is telling us to look again at the mosaics buried beneath our feet. At the same time though we must be prepared to travel and better placed to face the future.

According to Cunliffe's (2001) book on the voyage of the ancient Greek explorer Pytheas, early mariners navigated using a text called a periplus. Providing some of the earliest recorded observational views of the world, the periplus described coastlines by landmarks, winds and topography. Within care education h2cm acts as a periplus for learners, an aide memoir and reflective tool; a space to record those initial sightings and learning encounters. The model provides placeholders for knowledge, the exact position, content and process of revision are not fixed. Hodges’ model provides the coastline in template form; the context defines the topography – the landmarks.

In one sentence Serres (1997, p.20) conjoins the travels of mariners and their reliance on knots to modern graph theory and the need to explain complexity. Following the lessons of history and legend to solve a problem you might cut a knot. To fully understand it, you must untie it. This means entering the weft and weave of knowledge, back and fore in time, using hands and eyes: brain. Touch is the interface. Increasingly the disciplines are tied together, because our problems are such that new knots are sought to repair and maintain the rigging. Conner notes Serres’ observation that “where topography is visual, topology is tactile” (Abbas, 2005, p.158). Hodges’ model helps us to see what is significant, and cross reference this with the latest research evidence. We must not also triangulate our research methodologies, but our connections with each other and Nature. In our contacts with individuals, communities and cultures we must discard bias, prejudice and the taunts of our personal and ethnic histories and then feel our way. In order to travel with someone you must first meet at the same crossroads.

Intro : h2cm : Serres : You are here : Info2Care : Art-Science : Lang2Care : Global Reach & Close

References:

Abbas, N. (2005) Mapping Michel Serres, Univ. of Michigan Press.

Connor, S. (1999) Michel Serres’ Five Senses; [http://www.bbk.ac.uk/english/skc/5senses.htm] Accessed Mar 30 2006.

Cunliffe, B. (2001) The Extraordinary Voyage of Pytheas the Greek, Penguin.

Serres, M. (1997) The Troubador of Knowledge. S. Faria Glaser & W. Paulson (trans). University of Michigan Press.

Serres, M. (1981) Rome: The Book of Foundations, trans. Felicia McCarren, University of Michigan Press.