Philosophy of Nursing Philosophy of Nursing as a Knowledge Foundation
A philosophy of nursing provides the essential foundation for nursing knowledge. Whether explicitly articulated or merely implied, nursing knowledge is fundamentally rooted in a philosophy of nursing. This philosophy represents the values, visions, and convictions of nurses concerning what should constitute the core phenomena of nursing—the essential elements that are both necessary and sufficient to form a viable framework for the discipline and practice of nursing (Silva, 1997). Understanding these core phenomena is critical for generating nursing knowledge and practice.
Nursing knowledge, deeply intertwined with its philosophical foundations, starts with questions about what is central to the discipline. These questions involve exploring the nature of nursing phenomena, which includes the study of human health, illness, care, and the interactions between patients and caregivers. By defining these phenomena, nursing philosophy helps establish a comprehensive and coherent understanding of the field.
What is Philosophy Itself
Philosophy is a discipline concerned with the exploration of fundamental questions that transcend empirical sciences. It deals with ultimate questions about reality, existence, and values—questions that cannot always be answered through scientific investigation alone. For example, philosophical inquiries may include questions about the nature of reality, the essence of being, or the ethical implications of human actions.
In the context of nursing, philosophy similarly addresses profound questions related to the discipline. These questions might include:
- What should be considered the fundamental phenomena of nursing?
- What are the metaphysical and ontological claims underlying nursing phenomena?
- What are the moral and aesthetic dimensions of nursing?
- How can the essential phenomena of nursing be known and understood?
- How do the fundamental aspects of nursing relate to other human services?
By addressing these questions, philosophy provides a framework for understanding the nature of nursing and its role within the broader context of human health and care.
Emergence of Nursing as a Philosophy
The emergence of nursing as a distinct philosophical discipline reflects the evolving nature of health care and interdisciplinary collaboration. As the boundaries between different health care professions blur, nursing philosophy has become increasingly important in addressing complex questions about care and health. This interdisciplinary trend has led to new questions and challenges that are central to the philosophy of nursing.
Philosophy in nursing now includes the examination of metaphysical, ontological, moral, and aesthetic claims related to the practice and study of nursing. These philosophical inquiries help shape the direction of nursing as a discipline, influencing how nursing knowledge is developed and applied in practice.
Nursing in Philosophical View
Philosopher Nicholas Rescher (2001) argues that human beings have an innate curiosity and a fundamental need to answer life’s big questions. According to Rescher, philosophical inquiry involves constructing a coherent and comprehensive system to address these questions. This approach can be applied to nursing, where philosophical inquiry seeks to provide a coherent understanding of nursing phenomena.
Philosophers must deal with the estimation of truth, which involves understanding both the errors of omission and commission in their analyses. They must also discern what constitutes “the data of philosophy,” which in the context of nursing includes both empirical evidence and theoretical insights.
How Philosophical Thoughts Add Nursing Knowledge
Philosophical inquiry is a method of advancing nursing knowledge by addressing substantive questions about nursing practice and theory. This approach involves applying philosophical methods to understand and answer key questions in nursing. The goal is to develop coherent and comprehensive answers to these questions, which can enhance the understanding and application of nursing knowledge.
Philosophical inquiry in nursing involves discerning what constitutes relevant data and integrating this data into a broader understanding of nursing phenomena. This process helps nurses and researchers develop more nuanced and sophisticated theories and practices.
Philosophy & Science
While philosophy and science are distinct disciplines, philosophy serves as the foundation of scientific inquiry. Nursing philosophy underpins both nursing science—the body of scientific knowledge in nursing—and nursing research, which involves the process of obtaining and analyzing this knowledge.
Philosophy provides the conceptual framework that guides scientific research and inquiry. It helps define the fundamental principles and assumptions underlying nursing science, ensuring that research is grounded in a coherent and comprehensive understanding of nursing phenomena.
What is Human in Nursing Philosophy
Nursing research often involves assumptions about human beings, including study participants and the phenomena being studied. These assumptions influence the research methods used and the interpretations of findings. In qualitative research, for example, the meaning and artistry of the phenomena are often explored through methods such as hermeneutics and photography.
Ethics is also a critical component of nursing research. All research, whether quantitative, qualitative, or scholarly, must adhere to ethical principles. This means that research in nursing must be grounded in a philosophy that considers the ethical implications of research practices and findings.
Future of Nursing Philosophy for Nurses
Looking forward, there are several key directions for the future of nursing philosophy:
- Increased Knowledge and Appreciation: Nurses need a deeper understanding and appreciation of philosophy as a discipline. This knowledge will enhance their ability to engage with philosophical questions and apply philosophical insights to their practice.
- Collaboration with Nurse Philosophers: Nurse researchers should regularly interact with nurse philosophers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how philosophy underpins nursing science and knowledge. This collaboration can help bridge the gap between philosophical inquiry and practical nursing research.
- Commitment to Philosophical Inquiry: Nurses should commit to philosophical inquiry as a legitimate method for obtaining nursing knowledge. Engaging in philosophical inquiry can lead to new insights and advancements in nursing practice and theory.
- Adaptation to Interdisciplinary Fields: As interdisciplinary fields continue to emerge, nurses must prepare for the blurring of disciplinary boundaries. This preparation involves adapting to new ways of thinking and integrating insights from other fields into nursing practice and research.
In conclusion, nursing philosophy plays a crucial role in shaping the discipline and practice of nursing. It provides the foundation for nursing knowledge and informs both theoretical and practical aspects of the field. By engaging with philosophical inquiry, nurses can develop a deeper understanding of their practice and contribute to the advancement of nursing science and knowledge.