Faith Tissot is a member of the
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Critical feminism, critical social theories, and philosophy…oh my!
Nussbaum and Chinn’s epistemologies and ontologies are grounded in critical feminism and critical social theories, with ethical focal points on Kantian ethics, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics. Critical social theories endeavor to expose the mechanisms through which social injustices are generated, while highlighting the necessary reforms necessary to secure justice and freedom for marginalized and oppressed individuals. Nursing scholars have sought to address social justice concerns through the frameworks of critical feminism and critical poststructuralism. Critical feminism investigates the social and political origins that sustain injustices and explores how identified structures interact with gender to perpetuate disparities. The advancement of nursing knowledge is strengthened through the incorporation of feminist philosophical approaches that illuminate both the ethical and economic aspects of care, emphasizing equity, empowerment, and regard for mutual and equitable human connection (P. L. Chinn, 2013; Peggy L. Chinn & Kramer, 2017; Kagan et al., 2016; M. C. Nussbaum, 2000; Polifroni & Welch, 1998).
Why is this important?
Harnessing a critical feminist philosophical approach exposes dominant forms of false knowledge that perpetuate oppression and marginalization, thereby challenging structures that fail to serve the common good (Peggy L. Chinn & Kramer, 2017; Kagan et al., 2016). Two structures that are essential to mention are colonization and corporatization, both of which affect the generation of nursing scholarship and academia.
Colonization and corporatization have a direct impact on nursing scholarship; they play a role in maintaining power and oppression within academia. Colonization and corporatization are illustrations of the use of power imbalance as a means to control and suppress individuals or groups from equal representation (Springer & Clinton, 2017; Wheeler & Chinn, 1984).
Corporatization occurs when financially powerful organizations influence academic and healthcare institutions. This process marginalizes for-profit healthcare and threatens nursing autonomy in academia and practice. The aim is control, leading to an imbalance of power where financial interests drive academic curricula and healthcare decisions.
Corporatization in nursing academia occurs through heavily financed organizations donating substantial endowments to schools of nursing or universities. Financial control in nursing academia leads to decisions about structure and content being made by individuals other than nurse scholars. If left unchecked, non-nursing executives may increasingly influence nursing academia, practice, and scholarship. (Springer & Clinton, 2017).
Colonization, rooted in European-centered thought, threatens freedom by eliminating opposition and perpetuating oppression and dominance. In nursing, colonialism manifests as oppression, inequity, and disparities rooted in power imbalances that favor some over others. These imbalances widen the gap between dominant and oppressed groups, increasing inequity. The Peace and Power Theory distinguishes between ‘power-over, ‘ used to oppress and dominate, and ‘peace-power,’ which promotes equality, negotiation, and compromise, resulting in mutual gain and a more equitable stance (Peggy L. Chinn & Falk-Rafael, 2015; Kagan et al., 2016).
Decolonization and emancipatory philosophy stress the importance of exposing and dismantling oppression in all forms. Emancipatory philosophy argues against using power to give an advantage to one group at the expense of others, resulting in dehumanization, alienation, objectification, and denial of equality in the context of freedom (Chinn & Falk-Raphael, 2018).
Emancipatory philosophy seeks to provide a haven for persons different from us by allowing for cultural, religious, and language expressions that may differ from ours. Chinn suggests we bring communities and the environment to the forefront of the discussion while promoting human wellness as a human right (Chinn, 2022).
Certainly, the Capabilities Approach and Emancipatory Knowing Philosophy exhibit both similarities and differences. Among their similarities are a firm dedication to social justice, the challenge of power imbalances, and the employment of constructive strategies to address power dynamics affecting impoverished or marginalized groups. Both philosophies, grounded in critical feminism, advocate for the application of contemporary notions of shared governance to establish equitable environments. Furthermore, both approaches underscore the significance of the flourishing of individuals and groups. (Kagan et al., 2016; Nussbaum, 2011).
Integration of the Capabilities Approach and Emancipatory Knowing Philosophy advances nursing knowledge by focusing on human flourishing, equity, and social justice. Together, these frameworks challenge forces of capitalism and colonization that constrict human potential and silence marginalized voices. Synthesizing both approaches, nursing knowledge is reconceptualized as a transformative practice aimed at liberation and well-being, evolving into the creation of more impartial practices that can ripple across healthcare systems.
References
Chinn P. L. (2022). Decolonizing nursing knowledge. Nursing Philosophy: An international journal for healthcare professionals, 23(4), e12410. https://doi.org/10.1111/nup.12410
Chinn, P. L., & Falk-Rafael, A. (2015). Peace and power: a theory of emancipatory group process: Peace and power. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 47(1), 62–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12101
Chinn, P. L., & Kramer, M. K. (2017). Knowledge development in nursing (10th ed.). Mosby.
Kagan, P.N., Smith, M.C., & Chinn, P.L. (2014). Philosophies and Practices of Emancipatory Nursing. Routledge.
Nussbaum, M. (2000). Women and human development the capabilities approach. Cambridge University Press.
Nussbaum, M. C. (2011). The capabilities approach and animal entitlements. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 12(4), 283–298. https://doi.org/10.1080/19452829.2011.576354
Polifroni, C., Welch, C. (1999). Perspectives on Philosophy of Science in Nursing. An historical and contemporary anthology. Lippincott
Springer, R. A. & Clinton, M. E. (2017). ‘Philosophy lost’: Inquiring into the effect of the corporatized university and its implications for graduate nursing education. Nursing Inquiry, 24(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/nin.12197
Wheeler, C. E., & Chinn, P. L. (1984). Peace & Power: A Handbook of Feminist Process (1st ed.). Buffalo, NY: Margaretdaughters, Inc.