ABSTRACT
Philosophical beliefs affect our values. Our values may be either explicit or implicit, and influence both individual attitudes and the culture we work in (Sarvimaki & Sanderlin Benko, 2001). Values therefore influence care. Chapter 1 identified the need to explore values and beliefs about ICU nursing. This chapter describes and contrasts two influential philosophies to supply a context for developing individual beliefs and values. This is not a book about philosophy, so descriptions of these movements are brief and simplified; readers are encouraged to pursue their ideas through further reading.
