Care Ethics Flashcards
Traditional Western Moral Theories:
Actions of individuals
Autonomous agents
Grown up agents
Emphasis on equality
Emphasis on impartiality
Moral Psychology:
Questions about how we make moral judgments and what emotional responses are appropriate and when. (Example: Heinz Dilemma )
Kohlberg’s Moral Maturation Model (ONLY on Men):
Preconventional:
Good= pleasing to authority
Conventional:
Good= group cohesion
Post Conventional:
Good= Meeting some test for morality
Gilligan’s Moral Maturation Model:
(Same series of conventional phases)
Found that at age 60-65 men turn around back to their conventional stage while women switch back at age 20-25. During that time in a women’s life, they are getting married and having babies. For men 60-65 they are retiring. For each life event, they are spending more time with family.
What is Care Ethics?
Care Ethics is a moral theory that emphasizes the importance of relationships, emotions, and caring for others in ethical decision-making.
Who is the main philosopher associated with Care Ethics?
Carol Gilligan, who developed the theory in response to traditional male-centered ethical theories.
What was Carol Gilligan’s main argument?
She argued that traditional moral theories, like Kantian ethics and Utilitarianism, focus too much on justice and rules, ignoring the ethical importance of care and relationships.
How does Care Ethics differ from Deontology and Utilitarianism?
Unlike Deontology and Utilitarianism, which prioritize abstract moral rules, Care Ethics focuses on context, relationships, and emotional connections when making moral decisions.
What role do emotions play in Care Ethics?
Emotions like empathy, compassion, and love are essential in moral decision-making because they help us understand and respond to the needs of others.
What is the “ethic of care” vs. the “ethic of justice”?
Ethic of Care: Focuses on relationships, responsibility, and the needs of individuals.
Ethic of Justice: Focuses on abstract principles like fairness, rights, and duties.
What are the four key elements of Care Ethics?
- Attentiveness – Recognizing the needs of others.
- Responsibility – Taking action to care for others.
- Competence – Providing effective care.
- Responsiveness – Understanding how care impacts others.
What is the role of dependency in Care Ethics?
Care Ethics recognizes that people are often dependent on others at different stages of life (e.g., children, the elderly) and that moral responsibility includes responding to those dependencies.
How does Care Ethics challenge traditional moral theories?
It argues that traditional theories focus too much on autonomy and abstract principles, ignoring the importance of human relationships and context in ethical decision-making.
How does Care Ethics apply to real-world ethical issues?
It is often used in healthcare, education, social work, and parenting, where relationships and caregiving are central to moral decision-making.
What is a common criticism of Care Ethics?
Critics argue that Care Ethics is too vague because it lacks clear guidelines for right and wrong and may lead to biased decisions favoring close relationships over fairness.
How does Care Ethics view moral obligations?
Moral obligations are based on the specific needs and relationships between individuals, rather than universal rules that apply to everyone equally
vHow does Care Ethics address gender in ethics?
Care Ethics highlights that traditional moral theories have been shaped by male perspectives and argues for recognizing the ethical value of traditionally “feminine” traits like compassion and care.
How is Care Ethics related to Feminist Ethics?
Care Ethics is often linked to Feminist Ethics because it challenges male-dominated moral theories and emphasizes the value of caregiving, which has historically been associated with women.
What is the connection between Care Ethics and moral development?
Carol Gilligan’s research on moral development showed that women often approach moral dilemmas with a focus on care and relationships rather than strict justice-based rules.
