This article offers an alternative view to Hall's statements concerning concepts and theories in nursing practice. This article also represents an example of how journal articles can be forums for ongoing dialogue about the complex matters related to developing nursing knowledge. New ideas are presented by which the concept of self-transcendence, developmental theory, and theory in general are viewed from a holistic perspective rather than the perspectives offered in Hall's article. In contrast to Hall's claims about theory and about developmental theory in particular, theory is discussed as integral to holistic nursing practice.
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