Ethical and spiritual response 1

Please Respond to these discussions APA format with a reference

Discussion 1

Each of us has a
worldview that we cannot be separated from; it defines how we
understand our reality. The tension between science and religion is
fueled by people believing that their worldview is the only correct
one. The worldviews of people who believe in God, and those who do
not, have fundamental differences, and an unwillingness to find
common ground may perpetuate any tension or conflict between them
(Shelly & Miller, 2006).

My reality is
defined by what I understand to be true. If my worldview was guided
by scientism, I would believe that science is the only way I can
gain knowledge, and anyone claiming to know the truth using a
different philosophy would be misguided (PHI-413V Lecture 1, 2015).
However, knowing something is true because I personally experience
it (using abilities that God gave me) suggests that science may be
limited in its attempts to describe my reality.

Religion, or
rather, faith in God, offers us access to an entire dimension of
truth that is unseen. Christ told Thomas, “…blessed are
those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29,
New International Version). If one believes that all reality is
comprised of only physical or material phenomena, then one excludes
oneself from this unseen, spiritual reality. Such intangible
phenomena cannot be proved by science; therefore, scientism cannot
acknowledge the reality of the personal, spiritual, unseen world
(Shelly & Miller, 2006). As Meilaender (2013) describes, our
human nature has an inherent duality; we are simultaneously both
finite beings and free spirits, and are therefore not best served by
a limited worldview.

Shelly and
Miller (2006) offer a framework in which one can determine their
personal worldview. The questions that comprise this framework can
perhaps enable us to understand not only our own, but
another’s worldview. By understanding another’s
worldview, we can better serve that person. Perhaps it is a lack of
understanding of worldviews that has allowed science, with its
limitations, to be the accepted way our society perceives, and
comprehends reality (Shelly & Miller, 2006).

References

Meilander, G. (2013). Bioethics: A
primer for Christians (3

^rd
ed.). Grand Rapids, MI. Eerdmans
Publishing Co. Retrieved from http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources

PHI-413V Lecture 1 (2015).
Worldview foundations of spirituality and ethics.
Retrieved from https://lc-ugrad3.gcu.edu/learningPlatform/

Shelly, J. A., & Miller, A. B.
(2006). Called to care: A Christian worldview for nursing (2

^nd
ed.). Downers Grove, Il. IVP
Academic. Retrieved from http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources

Discussion 2

A worldview is how you see the world around you. These underlying
beliefs effect how you interpret everything (Grand Canyon University,
2015). There are many worldviews. Two common ones in today’s
culture are scientism and postmodernism.

Scientism demands that everything is proven by science. It stresses
facts, and rejects anything unseen or unproveable. It believes that
science is the only way to gain knowledge (Grand Canyon University,
2015). Scientism has limitations because it states the facts, but
cannot make moral or ethical judgments from them. When it can only
describe data, but cannot evaluate it, it only states what is, not
what ought to be (Grand Canyon University, 2015). The belief in God
and in the unseen world does not fit in scientism.

Postmodernism is also seen in today’s culture. The postmodern
worldview sees that science cannot give meaning to life, and goes for
a more holistic view where humans have harmony with their environment.
They think the world is made up of energy which can be controlled and
manipulated. (Shelly & Miller 2006 p37). A generic, nonspecific
energy or god is in everything and is one with all things (Shelly
& Miller, 2006. p 65). This reminds me of the “the
force” in Star Wars. People can become human-centered, accepting
of everything, have no right or wrong, and place great importance on
individualism (Shelly & Miller, 2006. p 51). Postmodernism can
appear very religious and spiritual, but it does not believe in the
God of the Bible.

I see some of this tension when society does not want to make any
judgments, and to have no concrete morals. Everything is accepted, as
long as your opinions are like the group. You cannot disagree with
choices people make. Christians are looked down on because we follow
rules, have right & wrong, and believe in a God that is much
different than the postmodernism god.

References

Grand Canyon University (2015) PHI-413V Lecture 1. Retrieved from https://lc-ugrad3.gcu.edu/learningPlatform

Shelly, J. & Miller, A., (2006) Called to Care, A Christian
Worldview for Nursing, Second Edition. Retrieved from http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/intervarsity…

Discussion 3

Scientism is the belief that knowledge is black and white and if
something cannot be proven scientifically than it is not known at
all. While this concept is held highly in the medical field it
leaves out the fact that there are other influences in a persons
world. A persons worldview is shaped by their morals and
ethics. What they may view as right or wrong is influenced by
their culture or religion. Even when science and the facts tell
us one thing, that doesn’t necessarily mean that that is the way a
person feels on the same issue.

While the advancements is science have brought a lot of good things
into the would, it has also brought with it the need to make decisions
that were not needed to be made before. For example, a century
ago if someone were to go into cardiac arrest the person would have
died. Fast-forward to the modern day and someone goes in to
cardiac arrest there are various levels of interventions that one may
want done. Many people request that they be allowed to die a
natural death while others want all interventions to be done.
With the successful resuscitation of someone then comes the decision
about what to do if that person is determined to have no brain
activity. Do you continue to keep that person alive or do you
discontinue artificial ventilation? If you continue to sustain
their life you must then decide weather artificial nutrition is to be given.

While science has given us the means to say yes to all of these
interventions, many peoples moral and religious views shape their
thoughts on what the deem the correct thing to do. Science is a
wonderful tool however it lacks the ability to make moral and ethical decisions.

PHI-413V Lecture 1 (2015). Worldview foundations of spirituality and
ethics. Retrieved from https://lc-ugrad3.gcu.edu/learningPlatform

Discussion 4

Scientism is the belief that science is the only means of
acknowledging reality, it is a philosophical thesis that focuses on
facts. On the other hand, religion and spirituality involves the
belief in science (to an extent) but also embraces the idea of
God’s creations. The tension between scientism and religion, in
my opinion, falls solely on the fact that science fails to explain
absolutely everything. There are some things that just cannot be
proven with facts alone. This gives the opportunity for
religion/spirituality to fill in the gaps regarding morals and ethics.
It is my belief that, as humans, we are simply terrified of the
unknown. We feel the need to have an explanation for absolutely
everything. When science falls short, religion/spirituality is there
to pick up the slack and soothe our souls by providing us with the
explanation we so desire.

In healthcare, a combination of both scientism and
religion/spirituality is ideal. Scientism can explain the physical
technicalities of an illness as well as with evidence regarding
medication and so on. But religion/spiritualty comes into play for a
patient when science just can’t explain the way they are
feeling. Patients in the hospital often have feelings of helplessness.
Scientifically, there’s no explanation for that. There’s
no medication that could make that feeling disappear. However, a
patient’s beliefs or prayers may help to aide that feeling of
helplessness. Or perhaps there is a situation completely opposite that
presents itself. All of the facts point us to the conclusion that a
patient will not recover. Prayer alone will not cure that patient if
there is absolutely no factual, scientific probability.

Puchalski, C. M. (2001) The role of spirituality in health care.
Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13059…

Discussion 5

Religion is
typically associated with teachings and rituals of various faith
traditions (Winslow & Winslow, 2007). For example, attending
church on Sunday mornings, wedding ceremonies and funeral sacraments
are faith based. Spirituality arises from within the human shell.
Spirituality is the, “universal human need for hope and
meaning” (Winslow & Winslow, 2007). While similar,
spirituality and religion, are two different concepts, and one does
not require the presence of the other to exist. One does not require
religion to be spiritual.

Religion and
spirituality are elements of healthcare that can lead to ethical
dilemmas/concerns.Worldviews, or what one
culture perceives as truth, must always be taken into consideration.
For example, as nurses we can not force blood transfusions on our
Jehovah’s Witness patients. Doing so would
be unethical, and different worldviews frequently clash in ethical
situations. Scientism frequently collides with relativism in
healthcare.

Scientism is the
belief that knowledge is only learned through science and science is
the basis of everything that exists. However, relativism is the
credence that nature is in control of our reality and our reality is
influenced by our place in the world. The two concepts clash because
of differences. Cultures define worldviews. My culture may not be
the same culture as my neighbors. World cultures differ. Reality is
different for everybody, but the philosophy of reality is similar
because we all exist.

My thought is
science gives me knowledge, and through science I am capable of
saving lives. The scientific method has enhanced technology and
given us the tools we need to save lives and enhance life. The
challenge is there will be disagreements and ethical dilemmas.
Relativism allows me to see a larger picture of scientific knowledge
and combine it with mystery, emotions, compassion and dignity.
Realistically, truth will always be interchangeable. Cancer may kill
one human, and another will survive. Science gives us tools to
enhance reality as we search for the truth. Faith, a belief in God
or a Higher Power, can not be proven or disproven. It is what we
believe and influenced by our worldviews.

We grow from
change and the clashing environment of science and religion is
expanding. We will continue to learn, but there will always be
questions we can not answer in our universe. There will always be
conflicts, and as nurses we accept different cultures and move
forwards. Ethical dilemmas may require an ethics committee to
resolve issues that are exceptionally challenging.

Winslow, B. & Winslow, G. Ethical
Boundaries of Spiritual Care. 2007. Retrieved from: https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2007/186/10/ethical…

PHI-413V Lecture 1 (2015).
Worldview foundations of spirituality and
ethics.
Retrieved from https://lc-ugrad3.gcu.edu/learningPlatform/

Discussion 6

The perceived tension between science and
religion is derived from the difference in the beliefs about the
nature of knowledge between scientism and relativism. Scientism
involves the belief that the best or only way to have any knowledge of
realtiy is by means of science (Grand Canyon University, 2015). There
are many weaknesses to scientism. Of interest to healthcare and
nursing is the inability to make moral or ethical
judgements. Every day we are faced to make decisions that are the
“right thing to do” or ethically in favor of the patient.
Relativism, on the other hand, views that there is no such thing as
truth. I believe that our different worldviews have been derived from
relativism. or the way that a society or culture perceives the nature
of reality (Grand Canyon University,2015). What may be deemed
important in one society may not be important in another. One post
modernist theorist , Martha Rogers, is based on philosphical
holism. Another named Rosemarie Parse, is based on existentialism
where the human being is human centered. This theory eliminates the
need for God (Shelly & Miller, 2006).

My perception on the tension is that
nursing should combine aspects of science and religion to achieve the
best care for our patients. The tension that exists originiates from
differences in worldviews. As a nurse I embrace the Christian
worldview that incorporates a personal approach, holistic view, and
the importance of faith (Shelly & Miller, 2006). I also value
the science of research that supports the healthcare that we provide.

References

Grand Canyon University (2015). PHI-413V Lecture 1. Worldview
foundations of spirituality and ethics. Retrieved from https://lc-ugrad3gcu.edu/learningPlatform

Shelly, J., & Miller, A., (2006). Called to care. A Christian
worldview for nursing. 2nd edition. Retrieved from https://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/intervarsit…