Ethics of care Essay

Introduction bid moral philosophy The moral philosophy of alimony originated among feminists who maintained, on the basis of Carol Gilligans work, A line of reasoninging Voice , that women and girls approach moral issues with a strong concern for empathy and caring in interpersonal relationships. Care and Virtues Care morals focuses on virtues associated with give care as a moral sentiment and response in the context of particular relationships. The emphasis is on such traits as empathy, sympathy, compassion, loyalty, discernment and love in suggest relationships, rather than the abstract principles and rights of deontological and libertarian ethics. Like communitarian ethics, care ethics stresses the interdependence of persons and the importance of particular relationships, especially at heart the family and other communities Care good motive Care ethics encourages altruism, which entails concern for others, their feelings and needs, but does not neglect care for ones elf. Care ethics requires the moral constituent to balance care of the self with care for others. Photo by Katerha Gilligans Ethics of Care Gilligan identifies levels and transition periods in the development of the ethics of care. (1) From Selfishness to Responsibility the conflict between what one would do vs. what one ought to do within their attachments and connections to others. Photo by Derek Bruff Ethics of Care (2) faithfulness as Self-Sacrifice concern for others, their feelings and the need to not inflict harm are major concerns. (3) From Goodness to Truth the morality of care must include a care of the self as well as others, to be honest and real with oneself, an increase responsibility to ones responsibility to the self, as well as others. Gilligan defines this as come on care. Photo by Ed YourdonEthics of Care (4) The Morality of Nonviolence a moral equality between the self and others is achieved by applying an injunction against hurting care becomes a uni versal obligation1. Harvard Educational brush up 481-517 Repr. 1986 as A Different Voice, In Pearsall, Women and Values 309-339 1 Gilligan, Carol 1977, Concepts of the Self and of Morality Care ethics is based on or justified by lived experience, especially that of women with intimate relations, trust and commitment. Lived experience is the accumulated subjective experience of individuals (2).Care Ethics Photo by Mary Ellen Mark (2) Pettersen, T. 2008. Comprehending Care . unify Kingdom Lexington Books23 Care Ethics Care ethics appears most appropriate to intimate relations, but its advocates seek to extend it to communities, institutions and nation states Care ethics is intended to guide conduct and to provide an aspirational ideal of the virtuous life Photo by geek2nurse Affective and Cognitive Care Caring has both affective and cognitive dimensions. Cognition is necessary to understand the others needs, feelings and circumstances.But caring also involves a range of feeli ngs associated with empathy, sympathy, compassion, and love. Care Ethics and Normative Ethics Care ethics provides normative guidance, but it does not prescribe specific actions by applying a set of abstract principles, rights and rules (found in normative ethics). With universalizing principles (normative ethics), the public scene of action has superiority over private-personal domains. . Emotion and Understanding In caring, moral thoughts are not separated from feelings as they are in many Western ethical philosophies from Plato to Kant. Gilligan challenges the idea that moral reasoning should be divorced from feelings and contexts. Emotion and Understanding Knowledge is gained through human connection to others when we try to take the perspectives of others in decision making morality and justice. Photo by rexquisite Co-Feeling and Empathy Caring involves understanding anothers feelings that seeks to go beyond mere understanding (empathy) to actually feeling what others ex perience. Petersen defines this as co-feeling which is to a greater extent than empathy. Caring originates from the experience of caring for others. In caring for particular individuals, we learn to recognize the needs and vulnerabilities of human others everywhere and to avoid harming them. Co-feeling and Empathy Co-feeling in care ethics comes from experiencing the analyzableities of a particular individuals situation. A deep, detailed appreciation for the lives of others enriches our own self-understanding. Photo by Neys Co-feeling is one ability in mature care how one should act and what actions constitute care. Caring involves participating in anothers feelings on his/her terms with an attitude of engagement, not of disinterested observation or judgment. It is an act of affective imagination. Photo by Quinn Anya Care Ethics and Moral Autonomy For care ethics, moral autonomy is construed as relational autonomy. In contrast with Kants isolated individual who rationally for mulates universal principles by himself or herself, the relational autonomous agent takes account of her interdependence with others. Gilligan promotes a more nuanced and complex concept of moral autonomy with space for holding self-determination with consideration, reason with emotion, and independency with connectedness.Friend Wheel by Unlisted Sightings Care ethics replaces the separated respect for the autonomous decisions of others that is the legacy of principle-based ethics with attentiveness to the plight, special needs, and vulnerabilities of individuals, who might need help is deciding what to do Tensions continue to exist within care ethics between contextual sensitivity in moral decisionmaking and respect for principles that direct us to treat people equally, with justice and respect for autonomous choices. arbitrator and Moral Conflicts Care Ethics Moral conflicts are still those that involve individuals with differing philosophies. They involve loyalty conflicts or divergent responsibilities and interests for individual professionals. Agents have different ideas of what is ethically pertinent. Photo by xeeliz Steps to Convergence on Ethics of Care and Principle-based Ethics What actions are right or wrong according to some relevant norms or principles, fairness in particular.What is the effect of these principles on those involved will they hurt individuals? Care ethics questions the over-reliance on principles and rules in ethics. Are we choosing to be loose and numb to feeling the impacts of the principle of justice on individuals and our relationship to them? Photo by Svenska Cellulosa Aktibolaget A THIRD WAY Care ethics encourages the moral agent to balance respect for individual autonomy with caring for individuals in relationships. A balance between relations and autonomy, between connection and integrity would create overlap of principles with care. An intermediate position between too much and too little would be needed. A T HIRD WAY Care ethics requires morally mature agents to weight and balance principles with caring for individuals. In these moral conflicts, listening to others, is essential to decision-making. Interdependent leadership and communication may open up new possibilities a third way. .References Beauchamp T. and J. Childress. 2009. Principles of Biomedical Ethics, New York Oxford University Press, 6th ed Gilligan, Carol 1977, Concepts of the Self and of Morality Harvard Educational Review 481-517 Repr. 1986 as A Different Voice, In Pearsall, Women and Values 309-339 Munson, R. 2004. Intervention and Reflection Basic Issues in Medical Ethics, 8th Ed Australia Belmont, CA Thomson/Wadsworth, Pettersens T. 2008. , Comprehending Care . United Kingdom Lexington Books