Question

How does philosophy impact the field of nursing?  

Answer 1

Philosophy is derived from the word philosophia which simply means love of wisdom. One acquires wisdom by observing one's surroundings , experiencing the realities of the world and life and finally by questioning and critically evaluating one's own practices and actiions based on these realities. To simply put, Philosohy is all about reflecting on our practice and applying reasoning to our practice.

Philosophy impacts nursing in the following ways:

1. It critically evaluates the concepts and core principles of nursing practice guided by the thinking of philosophers and explores whether nursing parctice is congruent to the practice origins. Thus philosophy helps in defining and explaining nursing practice.

2. Philosophy drives critiquing and thinking about certain practice assumptions. This thinking helps in clear articulation and debates about certain nursing practices and principles of nursing practice.

3. Philosophy helps in detemining the knowldege base required for nursing practice.

4. Philosophy plays an importnat role in examining, deliberating and debating ethical issues that arise in the practice of nursing.

5. Philosophical thinking of nursing has a huge impact on the way we percieve the practice of nursing . It helps us to uunderstad what is good for the humankind and prioritizes human values above all other guidelines.

Philosophy is not merely thinking but it is a pursuit to understand the deeper values that govern what we do. Thus philosophy has a huge impact on the way nursing is practiced.