| Learning Objective #1: Understand the Nordic-European historical ideas concerning the spiritual dimension in nursing practice | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss the meaning and content of historical ideas concerning spirituality in relation to modern caring science and nursing practice |
The central research question is, What is described as 'spiritual' in the perspective of caring science and the history of ideas? The material for the analysis concerned with the history of ideas consists of Scandinavian articles and letters to the editor in nursing journals between the years 1880 and 1925 and of European literature concerned with the history of nursing from the same period. The researcher, relying on Eriksson's model for description of concepts (1997), starts from the assumption that the unique character and meaning content of the concept can be determined by an analysis of caring based on the history of ideas. Nygren's philosophical model of motive research (1941) is used. The pretheoretical epoch in the history of caring science comprises the latter part of the nineteenth century and the time up to the end of the First World War. This time is characterized by spiritual boldness in art, literature, science and philanthropic activity. Spirituality emerges as a driving force and in the whole of the Nordic European area a religious revival occurs, while at the same time many revolt against the conformism of the church. When studying historical documents in order to find out what the concept 'spiritual' refers to in this period, one will find strong adherence to Christian belief and Christian vocabulary, even among secular nurses. Spiritual virtues such as compassion and lovingness occupy a central position. Jesus and the Good Samaritan are referred to as ethical models for nursing service. A Christian standard of values is proposed as a basis for ethics and as a result of the caregiver's own communion with God. Other see the spiritual needs of the patient as challenges: spiritual darkness, agony over one's sins, searching for the way to God and for spiritual nourishment.
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