Ways of Knowing Augsburg College NUR 306 Week One

Introduction Nursing is…… Nursing is……

What is Health & Nursing? Complex Complex Word Symbols Word Symbols Ideas Ideas Abstract concepts & terms Abstract concepts & terms

Ways of Knowing in Nursing…. Varying views of reality lead to different nursing beliefs, theories, and educational approaches Varying views of reality lead to different nursing beliefs, theories, and educational approaches Core beliefs affect how you practice nursing Core beliefs affect how you practice nursing Your practice must be in harmony with your beliefs about what is real and true Your practice must be in harmony with your beliefs about what is real and true Important to know your core beliefs Important to know your core beliefs

Metaphysics - “what is real” Cosmological Cosmological Theological Theological Anthropological Anthropological Ontological Ontological

Metaphysics - “what is real” Cosmological - Origin & nature of universe Cosmological - Origin & nature of universe Theological - Nature of God Theological - Nature of God Anthropological - Nature of human being Anthropological - Nature of human being Ontological - Nature of existence Ontological - Nature of existence

Cosmological Study of the theories about the origin, nature, and development of the universe Study of the theories about the origin, nature, and development of the universe How did the universe originate and develop? How did the universe originate and develop? Is there a purpose towards which the universe is tending? Is there a purpose towards which the universe is tending? What is the nature of time and space? What is the nature of time and space?

Theology Is there a God? Is there a God? Is there more than 1 God? Is there more than 1 God? What are God’s attributes: What are God’s attributes: Good & evil? Good & evil? All powerful? All powerful? Are there angels? Are there angels? Is there an evil power? Is there an evil power?

Theological - What do we mean by “God” Atheists - there is no God Atheists - there is no God Pantheists - God and the Universe are identical Pantheists - God and the Universe are identical Deists - God is the maker of nature & moral laws, God exists apart from and is not interested in humankind or the physical Universe Deists - God is the maker of nature & moral laws, God exists apart from and is not interested in humankind or the physical Universe Theists - there is a personal Creator/God Theists - there is a personal Creator/God Polytheists - there are many Gods Polytheists - there are many Gods Monotheists - there is one God Monotheists - there is one God

Anthropological Humankind is both the subject and object of inquiry: Humankind is both the subject and object of inquiry: What is the relationship between mind and body? What is the relationship between mind and body? Is mind more fundamental than body or vice versa? Is mind more fundamental than body or vice versa? Is there an interaction between mind and body? Is there an interaction between mind and body? What is humankind’s moral status? What is humankind’s moral status? Are people born good, evil, morally neutral? Are people born good, evil, morally neutral? To what extent are individuals free? To what extent are individuals free? Does and individual have free will or are they destined? Does and individual have free will or are they destined? Does an individual have a soul? Does an individual have a soul?

Ontological The study of the nature of existence, or what it means “to be”: The study of the nature of existence, or what it means “to be”: Is basic reality found in matter or physical energy (the world we can sense), or spirit/spiritual energy? Is basic reality found in matter or physical energy (the world we can sense), or spirit/spiritual energy? Is reality lawful and orderly or chaotic? Is reality lawful and orderly or chaotic? Is reality fixed and stable or ever- changeable? Is reality fixed and stable or ever- changeable? Is reality friendly, unfriendly, or neutral in regard to humanity? Is reality friendly, unfriendly, or neutral in regard to humanity?

Epistemological Beliefs vs. Metaphysical Beliefs Metaphysical Beliefs - what is real? Metaphysical Beliefs - what is real? Epistemological Beliefs - what is true? Epistemological Beliefs - what is true? These two beliefs are at the very core of nursing These two beliefs are at the very core of nursing

Basic Question In Epistemology… Is there truth independent of human experience? Is there truth independent of human experience? A Priori knowledge A Priori knowledge A Posteriori knowledge A Posteriori knowledge

A Priori Knowledge: Is independent of human awareness Is independent of human awareness Is true whether humans know/accept it or not Is true whether humans know/accept it or not Exists prior to human experience Exists prior to human experience Traditional science has upheld the superiority of a priori knowledge as it represents the fixed and permanent world that is ‘uncontaminated’ by human knowers Traditional science has upheld the superiority of a priori knowledge as it represents the fixed and permanent world that is ‘uncontaminated’ by human knowers

A Posteriori Knowledge: Requires human experience for verification of truth/knowledge Requires human experience for verification of truth/knowledge Modern philosophers claim a posteriori knowledge is superior, and that a priori knowledge does not even exist! Modern philosophers claim a posteriori knowledge is superior, and that a priori knowledge does not even exist!

3 Basic Positions on the Objectivity of Knowledge: Humans are recipients in the knowledge process. Humans are recipients in the knowledge process. Humans are participants in the knowledge process. Humans are participants in the knowledge process. Humans exist as ‘pure objects’ who become manufacturers of truth rather than recipients or participants Humans exist as ‘pure objects’ who become manufacturers of truth rather than recipients or participants

Sources of Knowledge: Empirical Knowledge: composed of ideas formed from observable data Empirical Knowledge: composed of ideas formed from observable data Sensory Knowledge: knowledge obtained through the Senses Sensory Knowledge: knowledge obtained through the Senses Revelatory Knowledge: knowledge that is revealed through a transcendent or supernatural reality that breaks into the natural order/reality Revelatory Knowledge: knowledge that is revealed through a transcendent or supernatural reality that breaks into the natural order/reality

Sources of Knowledge: Authoritative Knowledge: accepted as truth because it comes from experts or is sanctioned over time by tradition Authoritative Knowledge: accepted as truth because it comes from experts or is sanctioned over time by tradition Rationalism/Reason: emphasizes the power of thought & what the mind contributes to knowledge, the senses are not enough Rationalism/Reason: emphasizes the power of thought & what the mind contributes to knowledge, the senses are not enough Intuition: knowledge that is not the result of conscious reasoning Intuition: knowledge that is not the result of conscious reasoning

Validity of Knowledge Corresponding Theory Corresponding Theory Coherence Theory Coherence Theory Pragmatic Theory Pragmatic Theory

Validity of Knowledge - Tests of Truths Correspondence Theory: Correspondence Theory: theory fits the data collected & analyzed through research theory fits the data collected & analyzed through research if the judgement corresponds with the facts it is true if the judgement corresponds with the facts it is true method most often used by those working in the sciences method most often used by those working in the sciences

Validity of Knowledge - Tests of Truths Coherence Theory: Coherence Theory: places its trust in the consistency of harmony of all ones’ judgments places its trust in the consistency of harmony of all ones’ judgments a judgment is true if it is consistent with other judgments that have previously been accepted as true a judgment is true if it is consistent with other judgments that have previously been accepted as true there is an agreement on the boundaries, logic & phenomenon of the theory there is an agreement on the boundaries, logic & phenomenon of the theory

Validity of Knowledge - Tests of Truths Pragmatic Theory: Pragmatic Theory: there is NO such thing as static or absolute truth there is NO such thing as static or absolute truth people know only their own experiences people know only their own experiences the test of truth is in its utility, workability, or satisfactory consequences the test of truth is in its utility, workability, or satisfactory consequences

Value Systems Not universally agreed upon Not universally agreed upon What a person or society conceives of as being “good” or preferable What a person or society conceives of as being “good” or preferable Built upon different conceptions of reality Built upon different conceptions of reality Problems arise when two different value systems are held by a society, person, or profession Problems arise when two different value systems are held by a society, person, or profession Individual & social life is based on a value system Individual & social life is based on a value system

Conceived vs. Operative Values Conceived Values: Conceived Values: values that people verbalize but may not actualize values that people verbalize but may not actualize Operative Values: Operative Values: values that people act upon values that people act upon

Worldviews (paradigms) Explanations given for life events Explanations given for life events All beliefs and values regarding health care are derived from a person’s basic worldview All beliefs and values regarding health care are derived from a person’s basic worldview 3 Major Worldviews: 3 Major Worldviews: 1. Magicoreligious 2. Scientific 3. Holistic

Magicoreligious Worldview The fate of the world depends on God, gods, or supernatural forces The fate of the world depends on God, gods, or supernatural forces Events can be responsible for illnesses (sorcery, breach of taboo, disease- causing spirits, loss of soul). Events can be responsible for illnesses (sorcery, breach of taboo, disease- causing spirits, loss of soul). Relates to a psychic or metaphysical need of humanity for integration and harmony Relates to a psychic or metaphysical need of humanity for integration and harmony

Scientific Worldview DETERMINISM: a cause and effect relationship exists for all phenomena DETERMINISM: a cause and effect relationship exists for all phenomena MECHANISM: the relating of life to the structure and function of machines MECHANISM: the relating of life to the structure and function of machines REDUCTIONISM: the division of all life into isolated smaller parts to better study or understand the whole REDUCTIONISM: the division of all life into isolated smaller parts to better study or understand the whole OBJECTIVE MATERIALISM: that which is real can be observed and measured OBJECTIVE MATERIALISM: that which is real can be observed and measured

Holistic Worldview The forces of nature must be kept in harmony or balance The forces of nature must be kept in harmony or balance All is connected, inter-related, separate and yet part of a Whole All is connected, inter-related, separate and yet part of a Whole

Axiology, Ethics, Aesthetics Axiology: asks “what is of value?” Axiology: asks “what is of value?” Ethics: the study of moral values & conduct Ethics: the study of moral values & conduct “what should I do?” “what should I do?” “what is the best for all?” “what is the best for all?” “what is good conduct?” “what is good conduct?” Aesthetics: searches for the principle governing the creation of beauty and art Aesthetics: searches for the principle governing the creation of beauty and art imagination & creativity imagination & creativity the art of nursing the art of nursing