Overview

Care ethics (or the ethics of care) is a normative ethical theory that holds that moral action centers on interpersonal relationships and care or benevolence as a virtue. It developed as a feminist critique of traditional ethical theories like deontology and utilitarianism.

Core Idea

The core idea is that morality is not about abstract rules or calculations, but about responding to the needs of specific others with whom we have relationships.

Formal Definition

Care ethics emphasizes the importance of responsiveness to the needs of others (care) that leads to a focus on relationships and context rather than abstract principles.

Intuition

  • The Mother and Child: A mother doesn’t care for her child because of a “duty” or a “utility calculation.” She does it out of love and connection. Care ethics says this is a paradigm of moral behavior, not an exception.
  • The Friend: If you visit a friend in the hospital “because it’s my duty,” they might feel hurt. If you visit because you care, that is morally superior.

Examples

  • Carol Gilligan’s “In a Different Voice”: Gilligan argued that women often reason morally through a “voice of care” (relationships, responsibilities) rather than a “voice of justice” (rights, rules), and that this had been unfairly devalued by psychologists like Kohlberg.
  • Nursing: The profession of nursing is often cited as an embodiment of care ethics.

Common Misconceptions

  • Misconception: It is just “being nice” or emotional.
    • Correction: It involves complex reasoning about needs, context, and conflicting responsibilities.
  • Misconception: It is only for the private sphere (home/family).
    • Correction: Many theorists apply it to politics and international relations (e.g., care for refugees).
  • Feminist Ethics: Care ethics is a major branch of feminist ethics.
  • Virtue Ethics: Care can be seen as a virtue, linking the two traditions.
  • Partiality: Unlike utilitarianism (which is impartial), care ethics embraces partiality toward loved ones.

Applications

  • Healthcare: shifting focus from “patient rights” to “patient care” and the doctor-patient relationship.
  • Education: Emphasizing the teacher-student relationship as central to learning.

Criticism and Limitations

  • Parochialism: If we only care for those near us, we might ignore global injustice.
  • Essentialism: Does it reinforce the stereotype of women as “natural caregivers”?
  • Exploitation: Emphasizing self-sacrifice for others can lead to the exploitation of caregivers (who are often women).

Further Reading

  • In a Different Voice by Carol Gilligan
  • Caring: A Feminine Approach to Ethics and Moral Education by Nel Noddings
  • The Ethics of Care by Virginia Held