Care Ethics: An Ethical Theory
Summary
TLDRThis video script delves into care ethics, a normative ethical theory emphasizing the importance of interpersonal relationships in moral decision-making. Originating from feminist perspectives, care ethics contrasts with utilitarianism and deontology by focusing on emotional connections and personal responses. Carol Gilligan, the theory's pioneer, and Nel Noddings, a philosopher of education, are highlighted for their contributions. The script uses thought experiments, like the trolley problem and the Heinz dilemma, to illustrate the differences between care ethics and deontological ethics, inviting viewers to reflect on moral choices influenced by relationships and emotions.
Takeaways
- 📚 Care ethics, also known as ethics of care, is a normative ethical theory that places importance on the relationships between people when deciding on moral actions.
- 🧐 It avoids impersonal reasoning often associated with deontological, utilitarian, or justice ethical theories, focusing instead on the emotional connections and personal responses in a situation.
- 👩🏫 Developed by feminists, Carol Gilligan is recognized as the 'mother' of care ethics, establishing it as an alternative to the male-focused perspectives of utilitarianism and deontology.
- 🌟 Care ethics is also known as a feminist approach to ethics, but it is applicable to all genders, emphasizing the importance of emotional decision-making and relationships in moral judgments.
- 🚂 The trolley problem is used to illustrate the difference between care ethics and other ethical theories, where a care ethicist would choose not to divert a trolley to save five people at the expense of a closer relationship.
- 👶 Carol Gilligan's research on moral development in girls and women led her to conclude that humans are 'relationally responsive,' naturally responding to the relationships around them.
- 🎭 Gilligan compares moral thinking to a trampoline, where actions affect those around us, highlighting the interconnectedness of our moral decisions with our relationships.
- 📚 Nel Noddings, another key figure in care ethics, argues that caring is the foundation of morality and that our identities are defined by our relationships with others.
- 🤔 Care ethics considers the emotional response to be morally right as long as it is rational, contrasting with utilitarianism and deontology, which are more focused on what is right without the emotional aspect.
- 🤝 The theory applies universally because everyone has emotional connections and relationships, making it a comprehensive approach to understanding moral actions.
- 💊 The script also discusses the Heinz dilemma, a thought experiment used to explore moral development and decision-making in the context of care ethics versus deontological ethics.
Q & A
What is care ethics?
-Care ethics, also known as ethics of care, is a normative ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships in determining moral actions. It prioritizes the natural emotional response to relationships and the well-being of those involved.
How is care ethics different from utilitarianism and deontology?
-Unlike utilitarianism, which focuses on maximizing overall happiness, and deontology, which emphasizes moral rules and duties, care ethics is based on the emotional connections and personal relationships one has with others, valuing the preservation and protection of those close to the individual.
Who is Carol Gilligan, and what is her contribution to care ethics?
-Carol Gilligan is an American psychologist known as the 'mother of care ethics.' She developed this philosophy after finding that existing ethical theories were too masculine and male-focused, and she believed in the importance of considering the relational aspect of human morality.
Why is care ethics considered a feminist approach to ethics?
-Care ethics is considered a feminist approach because it was introduced by feminists who argued that traditional ethical theories were grounded in masculine experiences. It highlights the importance of emotions and relationships, which are often associated with feminine perspectives.
What is the trolley problem, and how does care ethics approach it?
-The trolley problem is a thought experiment where a decision must be made to save either five people or one person by diverting a trolley. Care ethics would likely advise against pulling the lever if it means harming someone with whom the decision-maker has a close relationship, valuing the preservation of that relationship over the greater good.
How does Nel Noddings view caring in the context of morality?
-Nel Noddings, an American philosopher and educator, argues that caring is the foundation of morality. She believes that our identities are defined by the relationships we have with others, making caring an ontologically basic aspect of humanity.
What is the significance of the 'Heinz dilemma' in moral development?
-The 'Heinz dilemma' is a thought experiment used by Lawrence Kohlberg to illustrate stages of moral development. It presents a scenario where a man must decide whether to steal a life-saving drug. The dilemma helps explore the conflict between obeying the law and doing what is morally right to save a life.
How does care ethics differ from deontological ethics in the Heinz dilemma?
-Deontological ethics would focus on the moral rules, such as not stealing, regardless of the consequences. In contrast, care ethics would consider the relationships and emotional impact, potentially justifying the theft of the drug to save a loved one's life.
What is the role of emotions in decision-making according to care ethics?
-In care ethics, emotions play a central role in decision-making. The theory posits that the strongest, natural emotional response, as long as it is rational, is morally right, emphasizing the importance of personal connections and relationships.
Why did Carol Gilligan choose the title 'In a Different Voice' for her book?
-Gilligan chose the title 'In a Different Voice' to reflect her belief that the moral development of girls and women was being overlooked by traditional, male-focused ethical theories. Her book aimed to present an alternative perspective that considered the relational and emotional aspects of morality.
How can care ethics be applied to everyday moral decisions?
-Care ethics can be applied to everyday moral decisions by considering the impact of actions on personal relationships and the emotional well-being of those involved. It encourages individuals to prioritize the preservation and protection of their close relationships when making choices.
Outlines
🧑🏫 The Philosophy of Care Ethics
Care ethics, as introduced by Carol Gilligan, is a normative ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships in moral decision-making. This theory contrasts with more impersonal, rational approaches like deontology and utilitarianism, focusing instead on the emotional connections and personal responses to situations. Gilligan developed care ethics after identifying a gap in existing ethical theories, which she found to be too masculine and lacking in consideration for the relational aspects of human life. The theory suggests that moral actions should be guided by the preservation and protection of those we are closely related to, as seen in thought experiments like the trolley problem, where one might choose not to divert a trolley to save five strangers over one loved one. Gilligan's work also explores the idea that humans are 'relationally responsive,' naturally considering the impact of their actions on those around them.
👥 The Interpersonal Foundations of Morality
This paragraph delves deeper into the concept that caring is fundamental to morality, as argued by Nel Noddings. She posits that our identities are defined by the relationships we have with others, making the ethical theory of care not just a feminist approach but universally applicable. The paragraph touches on the idea that moral decisions are not solely based on principles of right and wrong but also on the impact of those decisions on loved ones. It also discusses the societal expectations that historically discouraged men from expressing their emotions, highlighting the need for an ethical framework that acknowledges the importance of emotional connections in moral reasoning. The paragraph concludes with a thought experiment involving the Heinz dilemma, which challenges traditional moral perspectives and invites reflection on the care ethics approach to moral dilemmas.
📚 Reflections on Moral Development and Teaching
In this final paragraph, the script reflects on the journey of studying various ethical theories throughout the year, expressing pride and encouragement for the students' efforts. It acknowledges the students' engagement with the material and their thoughtful contributions to discussions. The paragraph serves as a motivational note, reminding students of their progress and the nearing conclusion of their philosophical exploration. It also invites students to continue their hard work and maintain their commitment to understanding complex ethical concepts.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Care Ethics
💡Normative Ethics
💡Interpersonal Relationships
💡Carol Gilligan
💡Feminist Approach
💡Trolley Problem
💡Emotional Care
💡Lawrence Kohlberg
💡Heinz Dilemma
💡Deontological Ethics
💡Nel Noddings
Highlights
Care ethics, also known as ethics of care, is a normative ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships in moral decision-making.
This theory avoids impersonal reasoning and focuses on personal relationships and emotional responses to situations.
Care ethics was developed by feminists such as Carol Gilligan, who found other ethical theories too masculine and male-focused.
Carol Gilligan is known as the 'mother of care ethics' and established this philosophy due to its absence in traditional ethical theories.
Feminist philosophers argue that deontological and utilitarian ethical theories are grounded in masculine experience.
Care ethics emphasizes personal response and the importance of relationships, differing from utilitarianism and deontology which focus on what is right.
In the trolley problem, a care ethicist would not pull the lever if it meant harming a close relationship.
Carol Gilligan's research in moral development of girls and women led to the establishment of care ethics.
Gilligan believes humans are 'relationally responsive,' naturally responding to the relationships around them.
She compares moral thinking in care ethics to a trampoline, affecting those around you as you move.
Gilligan's book 'In a Different Voice' explores her experiences teaching philosophy during the Vietnam War, highlighting the importance of relationships in moral decisions.
Nel Noddings, another key figure in care ethics, argues that caring is the foundation of morality and relationships are ontologically basic to humanity.
Noddings believes our identities are defined by our relationships with others, making care ethics universally applicable.
Lawrence Kohlberg's 'Heinz dilemma' is used to illustrate the differences between care ethics and deontological ethics.
A care ethics approach to the Heinz dilemma would prioritize the relationship and emotional response over legal and moral absolutes.
Deontological ethics would focus on the legality and moral duty, regardless of the consequences to relationships.
The transcript encourages viewers to consider their own approach to ethical dilemmas and the differences between care ethics and deontological ethics.
The video serves as an educational resource for understanding the nuances of care ethics and its practical implications.
Transcripts
[Music]
care ethics
also known as ethics of care is a
normative ethical theory
remember that normative ethics is the
study
of behavior this ethical theory believes
that
interpersonal relationships or
relationships between
people is the center most important
factor
when deciding on moral actions
as you can see this ethical theory
avoids
impersonal reasoning that is usually
involved with
deontologist utilitarian or justice
ethical theories because it does not
focus on the relationships
involved to follow care ethics
you must place importance on
relationships
and what matters to you as well as what
you would naturally respond to
in a situation fun fact this is one of
the cluster of normative ethical
theories
that were developed by feminists carol
gilligan
is the mother of care ethics and
established this philosophy because she
found
that the other ethical theories of
utilitarianism and
deontology were to
masculine and male focused perspectives
feminist philosophers have argued that
deontological and
utilitarian ethical theories are
grounded in masculine experience
hence why care ethics is also known as a
feminist approach
to ethics to summarize care ethics
emphasizes on the personal response
of all individuals through the
importance
of relationships the biggest difference
to pay attention to
is that while utilitarianism and
deontology focus
on what is right and are known to also
be
unemotional care ethics is known to be
completely
emotional and purely based on rational
thinking
through emotions decision making
is based on the relationships we have in
the situation
children you're going to hate me for
this but
let's take us back to the trolley
problem man
you guys are going to have nightmares of
the trolley problem after this
anyway this time you are again speeding
down that track
blah blah the one track splits into two
and you're headed toward five people on
one track
and on the other track there's only one
person there is a switch
to divert the trolley onto the other
track with that one person on it but
wait on that one track
with the one person on it is a family
member
or someone you're really close to now
this can be your dad
mom younger sibling older sibling or if
you don't feel like you're close to them
there's a cat your cat or dog or
best friend someone you have a really
close relationship with
[Music]
now they're all tied to the track so
they can't move
so would you divert the trolley
a care at the cyst would not pull the
lever
or switch or whatever i said in my
previous videos to divert the trolley
onto the other tracks they would keep
going straight because they do not want
to kill that one person
on the other tracks this is because
according to care ethics
you have a natural moral compass within
you to preserve
protect and favor those that have a
closer relationship to you
since the family member or someone you
have a closer relationship to you
has a closer relationship to you than
the five strangers
that you're heading straight towards you
would not
divert the trolley
[Music]
carol gilligan is an american
psychologist
from new york university born on the
28th of november
1936 she is best known for her research
in the moral development of girls and
women
she believes that humans are
relationally responsive
people this means that we just naturally
respond to the relationships
of those around us she compares this
moral thinking to a trampoline
if you and a bunch of friends are on the
same trampoline together
and you start moving it will start to
affect those around you
she also believes that even though this
is known as a feminist philosophy
it actually applies to everyone both men
and women in her book in a different
voice
she explores her experiences teaching
philosophy
during the time of the vietnam war
she tried to talk about the war with her
students but
the students didn't want to talk about
it especially the men
gilligan realized that men were so
hesitant to talk about it
because humans decisions on the world
were not
only based on just and unjust
or morally right and morally wrong
principles
people also considered how their actions
affected other people
people that they loved and cared for
like their family or
those that they have a love relationship
with
men were also scared to speak out about
their feelings because at the time
it was believed that only woman can do
that
no woman should not only be able to do
that therefore
an ethical theory was needed for both
men
and women so instead of her book being
called
in a woman's voice it was called
in a different voice
nel nordings is an american philosopher
feminist
author and educator born on the 19th of
january
1929. she is best known for her work
in philosophy of education educational
theory
and contributions to the ethics of care
she argues that caring is the foundation
of morality she saw the idea of
relationships as being ontologically
basic
to humanity which means that our
identities
are defined by the set of relationships
individuals have
with other humans therefore
my identity is defined by the
relationships i have with my
family with my friends and with you guys
you all make me who i am today
[Music]
your key words today are interpersonal
relationships and emotional
care ethics looks at the interpersonal
relationships
humans have with other humans and that
the strongest
natural emotional response you have as
long as
it's rational is morally right
please keep in mind that this ethical
theory is known as a feminist
ethical theory or a feminist approach to
ethics
only because it was introduced by
feminists
this ethical theory applies to every
human because
everyone has an emotional connection and
relationship to someone that being said
let's move on to our thought experiment
[Music]
lawrence kohlberg is known as the father
of moral
development and to explain his
stages of moral development he used the
heinz
dilemma a woman was on her deathbed
there was only one drug that the doctors
thought might save her
it was only recently discovered the drug
was
expensive to make but the drugstore
owner was charging
10 times what the drug cost him to
produce
he paid 200 for the equipment
and charged two thousand dollars for
only a small dose
of the drug the sick woman's husband
heinz went to everyone he knew to borrow
the money
but he could only get together about one
thousand dollars
which is only half of what it cost
he told the drugstore owner that his
wife is dying and
asked him to sell it cheaper or to let
him pay later
but the drugstore owner said no
i discovered the drug and i'm going to
make money from it
so heinz got desperate and broke into
the man's lab
to steal the drug for his wife
[Music]
now there are three simple options that
you can consider
one heinz should not steal the drug
because it is illegal and disobeys the
law
two heinz should steal the drug but be
punished for breaking the law
or three heinz should steal the drug and
doesn't need to be punished by law
your questions of the day are what is
your approach
to this thought experiment do you think
heinz should steal the drug
should he be punished why or why not
what is a care ethics approach to this
thought experiment what is a
deontological approach to this thought
experiment
so using these answers what is the
difference
between care ethics and deontological
ethics
i want you guys to comment down below
your answers to the questions of the day
and one fact about care ethics that you
have learnt
or taken with you today hey kiddos
just wanted to remind you that this is
the third out of the four
ethical theories that we are studying
this year
now i just want to tell you all that i
am
so proud so happy to be your philosophy
leader for 2021
and i've read most if not all your
comments
please keep up the good work you guys
are working so hard
and yeah we're almost there so
continue on we got this
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