The Ethics of Care

Main Ideas & Concepts (Ethics of Care)

Core definition

The ethics of care is an ethical system where “good” means:

• Meeting the needs of others
• Preserving and enriching relationships

Origins and rationale

It is described as a “feminine morality”, tied to the idea that in many societies women are seen as more sensitive to care-related issues (including the fact that women bear children).

It is also rooted in what’s described as a natural human response to care for:

• Newborn children
• The ill
• The hurt

Ethical thinking is connected to natural compassion impulses, summarized by:

“What I feel is right is right” “What I feel is wrong is wrong”

How it changes ethical focus

Applying the ethics of care may not always change the final solutions, but it changes the kinds of questions ethical people ask.

It shifts attention from rights toward needs:

“In an ethical system based on care… we would be concerned with issues of needs rather than rights.”

Related moral and justice frameworks

Restorative justice is presented as aligned with care ethics because it emphasizes:

• The motives and needs of everyone involved
• A focus beyond retribution alone

The ethics of care supports:

• Empathy
• Treating others in ways that do not hurt them
• Prioritizing meeting needs over securing rights

Alternative justice approach: Peacemaking justice

Peacemaking justice is described as an ancient approach that includes:

• Compassion
• Care
• Connectedness
• Mindfulness

It is said to have evolved from spiritual/wisdom traditions and may include mercy and compassion within justice.

Peacemaking process (methodology / steps)

The peacemaking process consists of three parts:

1. Connectedness
   • Relationships we all have with one another
   • Relationships we all have with the earth
2. Caring
   • The idea that humans naturally incline toward caring for one another
3. Mindfulness
   • Being aware of others in the world
   • Applying that awareness in personal decision-making

Comparison with utilitarianism

The ethics of care aims to:

• Identify and maximize the needs of all individuals in an ethical situation

It differs from utilitarianism by rejecting the idea that:

• One person can be sacrificed for others

Speakers / Sources Featured

• No specific individual speaker is identified in the subtitles.
• The subtitles reference concepts/movements rather than a named person:
  • Ethics of care
  • Restorative justice
  • Peacemaking justice
  • Utilitarianism
  • Ancient spiritual and wisdom traditions