Podcast
Questions and Answers
According to the author, what is a primary distinction between virtue ethics and the ethics of care?
According to the author, what is a primary distinction between virtue ethics and the ethics of care?
- Virtue ethics focuses on abstract moral reasoning, whereas the ethics of care emphasizes practical application.
- Virtue ethics is concerned with justice and rights, whereas the ethics of care prioritizes compassion and empathy.
- Virtue ethics emphasizes universal moral principles, whereas the ethics of care focuses on specific relationships.
- Virtue ethics concentrates on the individual's character, while the ethics of care emphasizes the connections between people. (correct)
Which concept is most closely aligned with a central tenet of the ethics of care?
Which concept is most closely aligned with a central tenet of the ethics of care?
- Prioritizing abstract principles over personal relationships.
- Promoting individual autonomy as the highest moral ideal.
- Upholding impartiality in all moral judgments.
- Recognizing the moral importance of attending to the needs of specific individuals. (correct)
What is a key reason the author prefers the term 'care' over alternatives like 'the ethic of love' or 'relational ethics'?
What is a key reason the author prefers the term 'care' over alternatives like 'the ethic of love' or 'relational ethics'?
- It aligns better with traditional philosophical terminology.
- It avoids sentimentality and highlights the active work involved in attending to others' needs. (correct)
- It encompasses a broader range of moral considerations.
- It more clearly emphasizes the importance of emotional bonds.
How does the ethics of care challenge traditional moral philosophies?
How does the ethics of care challenge traditional moral philosophies?
Which situation exemplifies a core concern within the ethics of care?
Which situation exemplifies a core concern within the ethics of care?
According to the author, what is a fundamental condition upon which human progress and flourishing depend?
According to the author, what is a fundamental condition upon which human progress and flourishing depend?
What common misconception does the ethics of care aim to address?
What common misconception does the ethics of care aim to address?
In what way does the ethics of care see human dependency?
In what way does the ethics of care see human dependency?
According to the ethics of care, which of the following emotions is LEAST likely to be considered valuable in moral decision-making?
According to the ethics of care, which of the following emotions is LEAST likely to be considered valuable in moral decision-making?
How does the ethics of care view the role of reason in moral inquiry, compared to dominant rationalistic approaches?
How does the ethics of care view the role of reason in moral inquiry, compared to dominant rationalistic approaches?
How would the ethics of care likely respond to a moral decision made purely through rationalistic deductions, without considering emotional factors?
How would the ethics of care likely respond to a moral decision made purely through rationalistic deductions, without considering emotional factors?
Which of the following best describes the ethics of care's stance on universal moral norms and impartiality?
Which of the following best describes the ethics of care's stance on universal moral norms and impartiality?
What is the ethics of care's perspective on anger in the context of moral judgment?
What is the ethics of care's perspective on anger in the context of moral judgment?
According to the ethics of care, what is the danger of 'excessive empathy'?
According to the ethics of care, what is the danger of 'excessive empathy'?
How does the ethics of care approach abstract reasoning in moral problem-solving?
How does the ethics of care approach abstract reasoning in moral problem-solving?
What is the significance of subjecting care and caring relations to moral scrutiny, according to the ethics of care?
What is the significance of subjecting care and caring relations to moral scrutiny, according to the ethics of care?
What is the primary focus of the expression of care?
What is the primary focus of the expression of care?
The author contrasts 'caring for' someone with 'caring about' something. Which statement best describes this difference?
The author contrasts 'caring for' someone with 'caring about' something. Which statement best describes this difference?
According to the author, how does 'caring about' world hunger typically translate into action?
According to the author, how does 'caring about' world hunger typically translate into action?
In the context of global climate change, what action exemplifies 'caring about' future generations?
In the context of global climate change, what action exemplifies 'caring about' future generations?
According to the ideas presented, what role does 'trust' play within caregiver and receiver?
According to the ideas presented, what role does 'trust' play within caregiver and receiver?
What is the ultimate goal of caring practices, according to the author?
What is the ultimate goal of caring practices, according to the author?
How does the text suggest a move toward improved 'caring'?
How does the text suggest a move toward improved 'caring'?
What happens when a person truly cares about global climate change?
What happens when a person truly cares about global climate change?
How do dominant moral theories typically frame moral problems?
How do dominant moral theories typically frame moral problems?
What is a central focus of the ethics of care that distinguishes it from dominant moral theories?
What is a central focus of the ethics of care that distinguishes it from dominant moral theories?
Which of the following best describes the ethical stance of individuals within caring relationships, according to the text?
Which of the following best describes the ethical stance of individuals within caring relationships, according to the text?
How does the ethics of care view the application of universal rules, such as those found in law, to personal relationships like family and friendship?
How does the ethics of care view the application of universal rules, such as those found in law, to personal relationships like family and friendship?
What is a key challenge identified in the text regarding the concept of 'care' within the ethics of care?
What is a key challenge identified in the text regarding the concept of 'care' within the ethics of care?
How do dominant moral theories typically regard actual relationships like those between parent and child?
How do dominant moral theories typically regard actual relationships like those between parent and child?
Which statement accurately reflects the role of moral evaluation within the ethics of care?
Which statement accurately reflects the role of moral evaluation within the ethics of care?
What does acting 'for self-and-other together' imply within the context of caring relationships?
What does acting 'for self-and-other together' imply within the context of caring relationships?
According to Held, how does care primarily manifest itself?
According to Held, how does care primarily manifest itself?
What is a key characteristic of caring relations, according to the provided content?
What is a key characteristic of caring relations, according to the provided content?
What is Vitrano's central claim regarding the relationship between morality and happiness?
What is Vitrano's central claim regarding the relationship between morality and happiness?
According to Vitrano, what motivates most individuals to cultivate relationships with moral people?
According to Vitrano, what motivates most individuals to cultivate relationships with moral people?
How might an ethics of care approach differ from a Kantian approach when analyzing a moral dilemma?
How might an ethics of care approach differ from a Kantian approach when analyzing a moral dilemma?
How does the ethics of care view the reduction of social relations to individual states?
How does the ethics of care view the reduction of social relations to individual states?
What does Vitrano suggest about the assumption that ethical choices always lead to personal satisfaction?
What does Vitrano suggest about the assumption that ethical choices always lead to personal satisfaction?
In what setting are the values of caring best exemplified?
In what setting are the values of caring best exemplified?
Why might the author suggest it's time for greater clarity in defining 'care' within the ethics of care discourse?
Why might the author suggest it's time for greater clarity in defining 'care' within the ethics of care discourse?
The author shares the anecdote about their last words to their brother ('take care') to illustrate which point about the expression?
The author shares the anecdote about their last words to their brother ('take care') to illustrate which point about the expression?
In what way does the expression 'take care' exemplify human relatedness, according to the author?
In what way does the expression 'take care' exemplify human relatedness, according to the author?
The piece suggests that the ethics of care is primarily concerned with...
The piece suggests that the ethics of care is primarily concerned with...
What is the author implying when they say, "'Take care' was not an expression he and I grew up with"?
What is the author implying when they say, "'Take care' was not an expression he and I grew up with"?
What underlying assumption does the author challenge when noting that some writers proceed with the "tacit understanding that of course to a considerable extent we know what we are talking about when we speak of taking care of a child or providing care for the ill"?
What underlying assumption does the author challenge when noting that some writers proceed with the "tacit understanding that of course to a considerable extent we know what we are talking about when we speak of taking care of a child or providing care for the ill"?
What is the most likely reason the first paragraph mentions various attempts to define "care" yields "mixed results"?
What is the most likely reason the first paragraph mentions various attempts to define "care" yields "mixed results"?
Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the plea aspect of 'take care' as described in the content?
Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the plea aspect of 'take care' as described in the content?
Flashcards
Ethics of Care
Ethics of Care
An approach to moral issues emphasizing care, connection, and responsibility for others.
Core of Care Ethics
Core of Care Ethics
Focuses on fostering connectedness among people, emphasizing relationships and responsibilities.
Human Dependence
Human Dependence
Recognizes that humans are dependent for many years and emphasizes the moral claim of those needing care.
Responsibility to Respond
Responsibility to Respond
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Moral Values in Caring
Moral Values in Caring
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Critique of Traditional Morality
Critique of Traditional Morality
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The 'Work' of Care
The 'Work' of Care
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Moral Salience of Care
Moral Salience of Care
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Ethics of Care: Emotion
Ethics of Care: Emotion
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Moral Indignation
Moral Indignation
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Feelings and Reflection
Feelings and Reflection
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Rationalism's Rejected Emotions
Rationalism's Rejected Emotions
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Limits of Empathy
Limits of Empathy
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Ethics of Care: Relationships
Ethics of Care: Relationships
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Valued Emotions
Valued Emotions
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Need for Moral Scrutiny
Need for Moral Scrutiny
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Impartiality Critique
Impartiality Critique
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Limited Applicability
Limited Applicability
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Dominant Moral Theories
Dominant Moral Theories
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Ethics of Care Focus
Ethics of Care Focus
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Intertwined Interests
Intertwined Interests
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Self-and-Other
Self-and-Other
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Well-being of a caring relation
Well-being of a caring relation
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Care (as expression)
Care (as expression)
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Care (as activity)
Care (as activity)
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Caring & Action
Caring & Action
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Care (practice & value)
Care (practice & value)
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Care (builds trust)
Care (builds trust)
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Care (as ongoing)
Care (as ongoing)
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Caring practices
Caring practices
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Care (moral growth)
Care (moral growth)
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Care (Definition)
Care (Definition)
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"Take care" meaning
"Take care" meaning
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"Take care" expression
"Take care" expression
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Human relatedness
Human relatedness
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Carefulness implies
Carefulness implies
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"Take care' expresses
"Take care' expresses
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Plea for well-being
Plea for well-being
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Caring Relation
Caring Relation
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Attentiveness in Relationships
Attentiveness in Relationships
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Care vs. Benevolence
Care vs. Benevolence
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Cultivating Caring Relations
Cultivating Caring Relations
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Morality and Happiness Link
Morality and Happiness Link
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Empirical Correlation
Empirical Correlation
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Moral Relationships
Moral Relationships
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Caring value
Caring value
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Study Notes
- Virginia Held is Professor Emerita of Philosophy at Hunter College and The Graduate Center of The City University of New York.
- Held develops "the ethics of care" as a form of virtue ethics, emphasizing connectedness between persons.
- Virtue ethics focuses on the character of individuals, whereas the ethics of care focuses on fostering connectedness.
Development of the Ethics of Care
- The ethics of care is a relatively new field of study.
- Some theorists suggest substituting the term "care" with "the ethic of love" or "relational ethics."
- The term "care” is preferred by many as it highlights the work involved and avoids being seen as impractical.
- Care is both a value and a practice.
Core Focus of the Ethics of Care
- Central is attending to and meeting the needs of particular others for whom we take responsibility.
- Recognizes human dependency and the moral claim of those dependent.
- Highlights moral aspects in developing caring relations for human progress.
- All persons need care at least in their early years
- Many will need care when ill or in old age.
Morality and Human Dependence
- Moralities built on rational, autonomous individuals overlook human dependence and the associated morality.
- Ethics of care addresses this concern and delineates the moral values involved.
Role of Emotion
- Ethics of care values emotions like sympathy, empathy, sensitivity, and responsiveness, unlike rationalist approaches.
- These emotions are needed to better ascertain what morality recommends.
- Even anger can be a component of moral indignation, contributing to the interpretation of wrong.
- Emotions need to be reflected on and educated.
- Moral inquiries reliant solely on reason is seen as deficient.
Emotions in Rationalistic vs. Care Ethics
- Rationalistic moral theories reject egoistic feelings that undermine universal norms.
- They also reject favoritism and aggressive impulses.
- Ethics of care appreciates the emotional and relational capabilities for understanding what would be best.
- Excessive empathy can lead to self-denial or domination, emphasizing the need for an ethics of care.
- Expressions of care need moral scrutiny and evaluation.
Abstraction and Impartiality
- Rejects abstract reasoning in moral problems, as favored by dominant moral theories.
- Ethics of care respects particular relationships, questioning universalistic rules.
- Dominant theories view actual relations as permitted but not prioritized over impartiality.
- Limits the applicability of universal rules to domains like law.
- Universal rules may be inappropriate in contexts like family and friendship.
- Morality should not be limited to abstract rules and should guide actual, trusting, and caring relations.
Interpreting Moral Problems
- Dominant moral theories see moral problems as conflicts between egoistic interests and universal principles.
- Ethics of care focuses on the area between these extremes.
- Those who care for others are not acting egoistically or for all of humanity.
- They are seeking to preserve or promote relations with particular others.
- Characteristic stance is neither egoistic nor altruistic; well-being involves cooperative relations.
Defining Care
- No universal agreement exists on the precise meaning of "care."
- The concept has been explored and employed in theory for over two decades.
- Definitions have often been imprecise or postponed.
- Some seek precision, while others assume a tacit understanding.
Understanding the Meaning of "Take Care"
- The statement "take care" conveys a sense of connectedness.
- It can mean "take care of yourself because I care about you" or express concern for safety.
- It acknowledges human relatedness and connection and daily reaffirms it.
- The relatedness of human beings is what the ethics of care is trying to understand, evaluate, and guide.
Care as an Activity
- It is important to distinguish the act of "taking care of" someone from merely "caring about" an issue.
- "Caring for" a child differs from simply "caring for" something in the sense of liking it.
- Taking care of a child will be improved if you also care about him or her.
- Care is both a practice and a value, showing how to respond to needs and why we should.
- It builds trust, mutual concern, and connectedness.
- Care is not individual actions but a practice that develops with appropriate attitudes.
- Attributes and standards can be described and should be continually improved.
- Practices of care should express caring relations and improve morally.
- Caring practices transform individuals into morally admirable beings.
- Care is also a value, shaping moral considerations.
Considerations and Care
- Moral considerations associated with care are interrelated.
- Ask if a relation is trusting and mutually considerate or hostile and vindictive.
- Care is not the same as benevolence.
- It is more of a characterization of social relation.
- Social relations are not reducible to individual states.
- Caring relations should be cultivated in personal lives and societies.
- The values of caring are especially exemplified in caring relations.
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Description
Explore the core principles of ethics of care, its distinctions from virtue ethics, and its emphasis on empathy and relationships. Understand its challenges to traditional moral philosophies and focus on the importance of care in human progress. See how it addresses misconceptions about dependency.
