Controversial issues: a case for neutrality?

Abstract

Controversial issues are defined, in this discussion, as those in relation to which contrary views can be held without those views being contrary to reason. Such issues arise in the range of courses constituting nurse education, especially, but not exclusively, where ethical questions are discussed. The nurse educator may, therefore, have to decide whether or not to say what she thinks, in particular she may have to decide whether or not to assert her own view as correct. Where professional beliefs and values are involved, to assert a view as correct may seem to be required. Might this, though, detract from the aim of developing students' capacity for autonomous reflection? The discussion assesses whether neutrality, in the sense either of not stating one's view or not asserting it as correct, is desirable, by examining arguments both for and against, and highlights ways in which a neutral stance both is, and is not, an option.