Nursing and Ethics

Abstract

Introduction. Emmanuel Levinas' ethics had an impact on Jean Watson's 1979 Theory of Human caring. Watson suggests that nursing ethics may be closest to the ethics of care as determined by Levinas. Aim. To establish arguments for and against abovementioned thinking. Methods. After an initial comparison of the statements made by Watson and the statements made by Levinas, a review of scientific articles was made to establish the link between nursing ethics and the ethics of Levinas. Results. About 20 articles and books were analyzed. A dozen references have been singled out to establish a link in argumentation, one paper presented a partial critique, while one suggested that nursing ethics should be based on some other ethical theory. Conclusion. Watson suggested that nursing ethics could be based on the ethics of Levinas. Since the 1990s some authors have made affirmative claims to this proposal, while others question the real possibility of its application in practice. Most authors agree that nursing ethics should not be based on the virtues of Christian charity, nor on deontological foundations or bioethical principlism. No other theory invokes that level of responsibility to another human being as Levinas does. Critics say his ethics are extremely abstract and as such are difficult to apply in a practical discipline such as nursing.