Albert Mieczysław Krąpiec’s theory of the person for professional nursing practice

Abstract

This article presents the works of great Polish philosopher, Mieczysław Albert Krąpiec, whose creative output can be applied to professional nursing practice. Krąpiec's philosophical heritage is extensive and encompasses many philosophical fields: metaphysics, philosophical anthropology, philosophy of law, philosophy of culture, philosophy of politics and philosophy of language. Krąpiec created an original philosophical synthesis characterized by a realistic approach. In this paper, I present only one of several original philosophical concepts developed by Krąpiec: the theory of the person based on seven essential characteristics, that is the ability for cognition, love, freedom, religion, legal subjectivity, completeness and dignity. I attempt to show how these personal characteristics correspond to various patient needs. I argue that the qualitative deficit of any personal characteristics indicated by Krąpiec corresponds to a patient's real need that must be satisfied. I also stress that the skilful diagnosing of all—not only selected—qualitative deficits of characteristics can be defined as holistic care in the nursing profession.

O uporczywej terapii oraz środkach zwyczajnych i nadzwyczajnych w polskim kontekście bioetycznym. Na marginesie dwóch debat Polskiego Towarzystwa Bioetycznego

“…Tej wartości nikt i nic nie jest w stanie naruszyć -ani akt moralny drugiego człowieka, ani czyn samego podmiotu godności nie zmienia niczego w najgłębszym uposażeniu osoby (CHUDY 2005, 90;RODZIŃSKI 1966). Krótko mówiąc, tak rozumianej godności nie można urzeczywistnić, można ją jedynie respektować, wyrażając w ten sposób szacunek dla podmiotowości (FERDYNUS 2020;SPAEMANN 2006, 162). Z kolei nie można tego samego powiedzieć o autonomii, która w dominującym współcześnie rozumieniu oznacza "wolność wybierania i robienia tego, co uznaje się za najlepsze, czyli decydowania o sobie, o swoim dobru lub własnym losie" (ŁUKÓW 2013, 76).…”

Four philosophical images of man and nursing from Krąpiec’s perspective

“…It seems that in addition to the category of time and space, another category is needed, namely the ontology of love that manifests in establishing a personalized and unique bond between the nurse and the patient. Love is another key to understanding the human being and a means to better communicate with him (Ferdynus, 2020b; Wiśniewski & Flaga‐Gieruszyńska, 2019; Watson, 2018, pp. 6–7, 10; Tałaj et al, 2012).…”

“…If I love, hate, make a decision, or if I live a personal life, then another person, another ‘you’ is the justification for this type of life. In such a perspective, ‘interpersonal relationships justify and give sense to personal life as the worthiest and turn the person himself into someone worthy’ (Ferdynus, 2020b, p. 5; Krąpiec, 2005, p. 425). A person is a being in itself, an object‐being, and not a means to an object (Krąpiec, 2009, pp.…”

“…Thus, the nurse discovers here a wide range of possibilities to help man. Lastly, this image provides the basis for holistic care in nursing, as it identifies areas of real and essential patient needs that may be skilfully diagnosed and met (Ferdynus, 2020b).…”

Is it true that all human beings have dignity?

“…The discussion around dignity in nursing philosophy has been underway for many years (e.g., Sandman, 2002; Ferdynus, 2020; Pirhonen, 2015; Pols, 2013; Wainwright & Gallagher, 2008). Some scholars argue that the term ‘dignity’ is useless and ‘can be eliminated without any loss of content’ (Macklin, 2003); others believe that this term is useful for medical ethics (Hofmann, 2020; Killmister, 2010).…”