The Posthumanist Philosophical Approach in Reconfiguring Nursing Metaparadigms: A Narrative Review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Professor of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 PhD Student in Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Student Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22038/nnj.2026.93828.1534

Abstract

Background and Aims: Nursing is traditionally grounded in humanism; however, emerging technologies have blurred the boundaries between human and machine. Posthumanism offers a framework transcending classical limitations. This study aims to elucidate the philosophical components of posthumanism and reconfigure nursing metaparadigms to align with contemporary realities.
Materials and Methods: In this narrative review, a literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2020-2025). From 110 identified sources, 17 articles were selected. Data were synthesized using Braun & Clarke’s six-stage thematic analysis (familiarization, coding, searching for themes, reviewing, defining themes, and reporting).
Results: Posthumanism leads to a re-reading of nursing metaparadigms, defining the nurse and patient as a "relational assemblage" intertwined with technology. In this perspective, the environment shifts from a passive background to an active agent, and health is redefined as the outcome of bio-technological interactions. Furthermore, ethics transitions from an individualistic approach toward accountability for the entire network of life, encompassing both human and non-human entities.
Conclusion: Posthumanism provides a platform for a pluralistic and justice-oriented understanding of nursing in the technological era. Integrating these concepts can contribute to the development of nursing knowledge in facing the complexities of the modern age

Keywords

References

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Navid No
Volume 29, Issue 97
June 2026
Pages 56-64

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