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CHAPTER 11 Katie Eriksson 183

Continuous research has been carried out since the different depending on what object of knowledge con-
1970s, with a view toward developing caring science as stitutes the focus of research (Eriksson & Lindström,
an academic discipline, and a theory of science for car- 2003). Another central area of interest for Eriksson
ing science has been formulated (Eriksson, 1988, 2001; (2003) is formed by the development of caritative car-
Eriksson & Lindström, 2000, 2003; Lindström, 1992). ing ethics. Continued development of the caritative
Eriksson has developed subdisciplines of caring science, theory of caring also occurs, as has emerged before,
which means that researchers of caring science and through continued implementation and testing in
other scientific disciplines enter into dialogues with various clinical contexts.
each other, and constitute a research area. An example
of this is the development of caritative caring ethics Critique
(Andersson, 1994; Eriksson, 1991, 1995; Fredriksson &
Eriksson, 2001; Råholm & Lindholm, 1999; Råholm, Clarity
Lindholm, & Eriksson, 2002). Another interesting sub- The strong point of Eriksson’s theory is the overall
discipline that Eriksson has developed is caring theol- logical structure of the theory, in which every new
ogy, within which she has articulated spiritual and concept becomes a part of an ever more comprehensive
doctrinal questions in caring with a scientific group of whole in which an element of internal logic can be seen
themes, and in this respect has cleared the way for new clearly. Her main thesis has always been that basic con-
thinking. Caring theology has aroused great interest ceptual clarity is needed before developing the contex-
among caregivers in clinical practice that can be studied tual features of the theory. Eriksson has used concept
in academic courses. analysis and analysis of ideas as central methods, which
has led to semantic and structural clarity. It has at the
same time meant that the concepts may have assumed
Further Development dimensions that have been regarded as strange to those
Eriksson continues developing her thinking and the who are not familiar with the theoretical perspective in
caritative caring theory with unabated energy and which the development of the theory has taken place.
constantly finds new ways, recreating and deepening We, who have for many years had the opportunity to
what has been stated before. Systematic research and follow Eriksson’s work, have realized that her way of
the development of caritative caring theory, as well as thinking forms a logical whole, where the abstract sci-
the discipline of caring science, take place chiefly entific reveals the concrete in a new understanding
within the scope of the research programs in her own (i.e., provides an experience of evidence and verifies
department with her own staff and the postdoctoral the convincing force of the theory).
group. The dissertation topics of doctoral candidates
are connected with the research programs and form Simplicity
an important contribution of knowledge to the ongo- The theoretical clarity of Eriksson’s theory reflects the
ing development of Eriksson’s thinking. simplicity of the theory by showing the general in a
During the last few years, Eriksson has emphasized clear and logical conceptual entirety. The hermeneutic
the necessity of basic research in clinical caring sci- approach has deepened the understanding of the sub-
ence, where she has especially stressed the under- stance and thus contributed to the simplicity of the
standing of the research object, caring reality. She theory (Gadamer, 1960/1994). The simplicity also can
describes the object of research from three points of be understood as an expression of Gadamer’s concept
view: the experienced world, praxis as activity, and the of theory by making it comprehensible that theory and
real reality. In the real reality, which carries the attri- practice belong together and reflect two sides of the
butes of mystery, one finds something of the deepest same reality. Eriksson agrees with Gadamer’s thought
potential of caring, and it is a reality that can be under- that understanding includes application, and the the-
stood in Gadamer’s sense, in the old Greek meaning ory opens the way to deeper participation and com-
of praxis, as a way of living, a mode of being, that is, munion. Eriksson (2003) formulates this process by
an ontology (Gadamer, 2000). The development of the statement that “ideals reach reality and reality
knowledge in caring science becomes fundamentally reaches the ideals” (p. 26).