The potential contributions of critical social theory to nursing science

As a theoretical and philosophical orientation to science, critical social theory (CST) is increasingly used in nursing inquiry, theory, and practice to address oppressive sociopolitical conditions influencing health and health care. Although the emancipatory focus of CST is well aligned with nursing's social mandate, the examination of ontological and epistemological assumptions underlying CST reveal important incongruities in relation to the unique epistemological requirements of nursing science for both generalizable and particular knowledge. This article examines the potential contributions of CST to nursing science and areas of philosophical compatibility and incongruity. The author argues that the most significant contribution of CST to nursing science may be achieved by critiquing the fundamental ideologies upon which nursing knowledge is developed. By interrogating these ideological assumptions, and by maintaining the integrity of our diverse epistemological requirements, CST can advance nursing science towards progressive, emancipatory objectives.