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Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Published on: February 16, 2011

Moral realism in nursing.

Steven D Edwards¹

¹Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UK.

Nursing Philosophy : an International Journal for Healthcare Professionals

|February 11, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study challenges moral realism in healthcare, arguing that moral responses stem from beliefs, not objective moral truths. An alternative social conditioning theory is proposed with similar explanatory power.

Keywords:

Per Nortvedt moral realism nursing ethics realism

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Area of Science:

Bioethics
Philosophy of Nursing
Moral Philosophy

Background:

Professor Per Nortvedt has advocated for moral realism in nursing and healthcare for over 15 years.
Nortvedt's arguments are grounded in clinical nursing and medical contexts, supported by examples.

Purpose of the Study:

To critically evaluate the arguments for moral realism in healthcare.
To challenge key components of Nortvedt's moral realism thesis.
To propose an alternative explanatory framework for moral responses in healthcare.

Main Methods:

Analysis and critique of Professor Per Nortvedt's arguments for moral realism.
Examination of the argument from convergence and the argument from clinical sensitivity.
Development of an alternative 'social conditioning' account.

Main Results:

Criticisms of moral realism are presented as persuasive.
The argument from convergence and the argument from clinical sensitivity are rejected.
Moral responses are argued to be explained by beliefs rather than independent moral realities.

Conclusions:

Nortvedt's moral realism thesis faces significant challenges.
An alternative social conditioning account offers comparable explanatory power without positing independent moral properties.
This challenges the foundation of moral realism in nursing and healthcare ethics.