Donna Frost

Chapter 3 72 Because the phenomenon is embedded and embodied, because the knowledge is largely tacit, those involved are likely to need creative help to tell their stories, to recognize the beautiful moments and to articulate, examine and critique them. In doing so, those involved – including myself as researcher – may be brought to the brink of transformation. So although this research was focused on deepening my understanding and the understanding of the participants of the professional artistry in nursing practice, I assumed that I would not be successful without creating the conditions in which such transformations of understandings, and thus practices, could occur. It was further assumed that working towards understanding of self, others, and our systems is worthwhile, even if that understanding remains incomplete, even if this process is never ending and our ideals are unattainable. Finally, it was assumed that, such processes are themselves transformative and intrinsically worthwhile: consciously creating the conditions within which the assumptions of this research could be given form can itself be regarded as a transformative process (Higgs & Horsfall, 2007 ; Cherry, 2010 ; Higgs & Titchen, 2011 ). Critical creativity The philosophical ideas set out above draw on assumptions within both the interpretive, or practical,worldviewand the critical. That is, Iwas interested in ‘coming to understand’ (phenomenology and hermeneutic tradition), in collaboration with others, and working towards transformation of those understandings (critical social science), again in collaboration. Furthermore, I assumed that these processes would need to draw on both modern philosophical ideas and ancient wisdom, both critical and creative ways of knowing and critiquing, and that working ethically was not so much about protecting participants but working in respectful, reciprocal and responsible ways to facilitate those involved in determining the goals, manner and extent of their own involvement. There is a good fit, therefore, between the goals and philosophical foundations of this research and the paradigmatic synthesis known as critical creativity (McCormack & Titchen, 2006 , 2014 ; Titchen & McCormack, 2008 , 2010 ). Critical creativity is a paradigmatic synthesis in which the assumptions of the critical paradigm are blended and balanced with, and attuned to, creative and ancient traditions, for the purpose of human flourishing. Human flourishing focuses on maximising individuals’ achievement of their potential for growth and development as they change the