HEALTH
What do we understand by Health?
Nordstokke, Kjell
Health is a popular theme, both in the public debate, as well as in everyday life. The tabloid press brings almost daily news and reports about what can promote or damage health. At times we see a tendency to present health as the most important of all values and thus the most important condition for a good life.
There exist many beliefs about health. [1] To some, health is foremost an issue of being healthy, as opposed to being sick. Given this understanding, health is a question of biomedical normality, often perceived as the condition of a human being when not having a diagnosis. Others perceive health in a wider sense. For them, health is about prosperity and well being, about quality of life in meaningful relationships - family, friends, neighbors and work colleagues. Read more....
From God to good? Faith-base institutions in the secular society
Aadland, Einar & Skjørshammer, Morten
Faith The concept of moral values is gaining influence in contemporary faith-based institutions in secular societies, in part replacing yesterday’s religious devotion. The engagement in values expresses a moral, secularized search for meaning in life. Still, the concern for values within Christian organizations is flavored by the context of religion. Thus, work place discussions on values include ethical reflexivity as well as ‘unchurched spiritualities’. An action research project is presented, demonstrating this shift in institutional orientation. The project was carried out in a diaconal general hospital in Oslo, Norway over a period of three years. The project addressed and enhanced general ethical sensitivity and the development of awareness of values-in- use throughout leadership and staff. In conclusion, it is argued that ‘critical value reflection’ may be a viable strategy for faith-based institutional practice, combining religious foundational goals with ideals of welfare in the secular society.