Keywords

Agamben, bio-power, critical-feminist, epistemology, Foucault, nursing, philosophy of science

 

Authors

  1. Georges, Jane M. PhD, RN

Abstract

This philosophical article posits that an emerging theme in contemporary nursing epistemology is bio-power and proposes the use of philosopher Giorgio Agamben's perspectives as a useful approach for the future investigation of bio-power in nursing knowledge. Building upon Meleis' characterization of diversity as the most recent "milestone" of contemporary theoretical development of the nursing discipline, selected recent texts from the nursing literature are analyzed, and implications for future nursing knowledge in the context of Agamben's work are explored.