Care in nursing as a contested concept? A Bergsonian perspective

Area of Science:

• Nursing Philosophy
• Conceptual Analysis

Background:

• The concept of care is central to nursing, yet its meaning and value remain ambiguous and lack consensus.
• Scholarship recognizes the complexity, elusiveness, and contested nature of care within the nursing profession.

Purpose of the Study:

• To argue that disputes surrounding the concept of care are inherent to its nature.
• To explore care as an "essentially contested" concept, drawing on philosophical insights.
• To utilize Henri Bergson's philosophy to demonstrate how care's contested, processual nature generates its meaning and value.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical argumentation
• Conceptual analysis
• Application of W.B. Gallie's theory of "essentially contested" concepts
• Exploration of Henri Bergson's philosophical insights on process and meaning

Main Results:

• Care is identified as an "essentially contested" concept, not merely a subject of unfortunate disagreement.
• The inherent ambiguity and lack of consensus in defining care are fundamental to its application.
• Henri Bergson's philosophy illuminates how the dynamic and contested process of care contributes to its value.

Conclusions:

• The contested nature of care is not a flaw but a defining characteristic, essential for its meaning and value in nursing.
• Understanding care as an "essentially contested" concept enriches nursing philosophy and practice.
• Bergsonian insights offer a framework for appreciating the dynamic and processual essence of care.