Motivational Coping & Healing

According to the article Care Ethics by Jonathan Kwan, “care ethics emphasizes the value of people’s relationships, the universality of human dependence on others, the significance of emotions and the body, and the context-sensitive nature of ethical deliberation that does not merely follow abstract normal rules” (Kwan, 2023).

For example, a mother loves and cares for her children without expecting anything in return and without being driven by the fear of what could happen to her if she does not take care of her children. In care ethics, caring for someone else is what drives the person’s moral compass.  

Kwan (2023) states, “One of the first explicit formulations of care ethics can be traced back to the work of Carol Gilligan in the 1980s. Gilligan criticized Kohlberg’s model for its gender bias. He argued that instead of being worse moral reasoners, girls often reasoned in a “different voice”- a voice of care- that focused on people’s relationships with others and paid attention to the nuanced context of moral dilemmas rather than simply applying general principals” (Kwan, 2023). Gilligan realized that boys and girls often follow different ethical practices, noticing girls take more of a nurturing approach to life situations, rather than general rules or social norms.  

Care ethics pays attention to what is required for relationships to be healthy, reciprocal, and caring, rather than abusive, exploitative, or unfair” (Kwan, 2023). Care ethics focuses on how to have a good relationship with others and is not limited to intimate relationships. Someone who operates with care ethics in mind can also provide care for strangers.

For example, a woman sees a homeless man on the sidewalk and offers to get him food because she clearly sees he is hungry. Without judgment or any hidden agenda, she gets him food, sits and chats with him, and they part ways. Care ethics recognizes that we all depend on one another, whether for food, social support, guidance, money, etc… humans have a natural dependence on one another. Sometimes, as people, we need additional help and care; some people have a natural ability to care for less fortunate people.  

Additionally, it recognizes the moral significance of both our bodies and emotions” (Kwan, 2023). Caring for others and showing empathy, sympathy, and compassion are all part of care ethics. By allowing emotions to help guide care ethics, people are able to understand themselves and others on a deeper level, a level where true nurturing happens. 

In conclusion, care ethics was introduced in the 1980s and first noticed by a psychologist by the name of Carol Gilligan. Gilligan realized girls did not act in the same ethical sense boys did and argued against a previous ethical model that he felt was biased. Care ethics realizes the dependency humans have on one another and recognizes emotions within the body. 

Care ethics puts relationships first and values caring about people around you. Caring for others and being there is what drives people to follow the care ethics principle in life. It is a deep understanding of human nature and the want to be there for others without anything in return. 

References  

Kwan, J. (2023, May 5). Care Ethics. SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY. Retrieved November 21, 2023, from https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/care-ethics/care-ethics.html