Uncertainty in descriptions of biosocial phenomena and the schism between preventionists and moralists

SummaryBiosocial systems are dual-natured phenomena. A relationship between social and biological parameters of any biosocial system may be described by an uncertainty principle: it is not possible to measure both types of parameters exactly and simultaneously. A full description of dual-natured phenomenon requires two mutually exclusive (complementary) concepts. Preventionists and moralists use complementary descriptions of HIV/AIDS epidemic, sexual behavior and drug addiction. That is why they do not understand each other. The “compromise” may be defined as taking into consideration both types of descriptions. The compromise determines approximate values of complementary sets of parameters somewhere between their extreme alternative or complementary descriptions. A compromise is reached within the framework of the complex interplay of complementary descriptions and currently existing norms and generates new social norms and new intersectoral partnerships. The existing schism between preventionists and moralists concerning HIV/AIDS and similar issues is a result of uncertainty of complementary descriptions of complex biosocial systems and should be resolved through compromises which may vary in different countries.