Returning to Learning

Abstract

If you can forgive Milton for what might now be considered to be a sexist remark, there is a 17th century solidity about his philosophy of learning. Strangely, it has taken the nursing education establishment in Britain until now to recognise the value of debate, and the need to educate nurses for their own sake, as well as in the interests of patient care.

‘Where there is much desire to learn

there of necessity will be much arguing,

much writing,

many opinions: for opinion in good men

is but knowledge in the making’

John Milton, 1608–1674