The problematic allure of the binary in nursing theoretical discourse.
Recent ideological positioning on the world stage has borne a startling resemblance to a form of positioning within nursing theory--that of taking complex ideas, reducing them to a simplistic binary form, and uncritically adopting one half of that form. In some cases, this adoption of a binary position has led to a passionately held form of "othering" that prohibits a healthy and critical engagement with ideas. As alluring as settling for the binary form may be--we argue for holding binaries in tension as a catalyst for stimulating dialogue--reasoning and exploration of new ways of wrestling with the social and moral complexity of nursing.
Thorne
Sally E
SE
University of British Columbia School of Nursing, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 2B5. thorne@nursing.ubc.ca
Henderson
Angela D
AD
McPherson
Gladys I
GI
Pesut
Barbara K
BK
D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D012586:Science