title: [Applying the human dignity ideals of Confucianism and Kant to psychiatric nursing: from theory to practice].
abstract: Literature articles and clinical observation suggest disease and environmental factors as primary causes of the low self-esteem and stigmatization that typify most psychiatric patients. These patients are at risk of injury when subjected to inappropriate physical restraint. Hospital staffs, including nurses, are in immediate and close contact with psychiatric patients. Mencius's and Kant's thoughts on human dignity can enhance reflections on clinical nursing practices. Mencius's belief that preserving life is not the most desirable thing and death is not the most hated thing can help nurses realize the human dignity of psychiatric patients by understanding that, as an unrighteous act is more detestable than death, the meaning and value of righteousness are greater than life itself. In light of Kant's views on human dignity, nurses should treat patients as goals rather than means. Exploring such ideas can raise nursing quality, restore a positive sense of humanity to psychiatric patients, and develop nursing values and meaning to a higher plane.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Philosophy, National Central University, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Mei-Hsiu
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Shui-Chuen
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Shu-Chen
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D032903:Confucianism; D006801:Humans; D028723:Personhood; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing