NUR4204

Philosophical inquiry in nursing

Objectives At the completion of this subject the student shall be expected to explore schools of philosophical thought in Western tradition; critically explore the influences of dominant philosophies of nursing and knowledge development; examine contemporary issues in philosophical thought and their implications for the discipline and practice of nursing; evaluate nurse scholars' contribution to philosophical inquiry and engage in philosophical debate about contemporary issues.

Synopsis This subject provides students with the opportunity to critically explore major philosophies that have influenced the history and development of nursing as a discipline. In particular, students will explore nursing as a human science, examine philosophies most commonly encountered in the literature, examine the philosophical concerns of nursing in the literature, reflect on religion and philosophy, examine moral and ethical concerns of philosophy, explore current thinking in relation to philosophy (postmodernists, critical social theory). Student participation is maximised through seminars/materials for the above in which issues are raised.

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