Interpersonal relations in nursing: a philosophical-ethical analysis of the work of Hildegard E. Peplau

Nursing typically has been viewed as a moral practice, for instance by new developments in the ethics of care. Nevertheless, many philosophical-ethica l presuppositions of nursing theories remain to be clarified. This paper pr esents a philosophical-ethical analysis of the work of Hildegard E. Peplau. Analysis of the philosophical-ethical background of Peplau's works illumin ates a view on nursing practice that is relevant today. Three main componen ts are analysed more deeply, i.e. the professionalization of nursing, the p hilosophical underpinnings of Peplau's view on nursing science, and the nur se-patient relationship as the central event in nursing.