Caring, virtue theory, and a foundation for nursing ethics

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the use of a framework of virtue theory as a foundation for a nursing ethic embodied in the caring ideal. The first section summarizes the problems identified with traditional moral theory as a foundation for a nursing ethic based on the caring ideal. From these problems, adequacy conditions that a foundation must meet are identified. In section two, the basic ideas of virtue theory are sketched and an account of how virtue theory can be used as a foundation for a nursing ethic based on the caring ideal is discussed. Finally, virtue theory as a foundation for a nursing ethic à la caring is assessed against the adequacy conditions delineated in section one. The conclusion of this paper is that virtue theory does not offer a viable alternative to duty-based theories. While virtue theory provides promise in meeting the identified adequacy conditions, serious secondary issues arise that can not be immediately nor easily resolved.