The notion of care between ethics, work, and politics

Discussion
By Philippe Svandra
English

Ever since its foundation, the ethics of care has manifested a “different voice.” Building on Carol Gilligan’s works, the concept was developed widely in opposition to the rational and universalist aspect of Kant’s moral philosophy. However, it also appears that this vision of care runs contrary to the three other dominant moral theories, i.e., utilitarianism, John Rawls’ procedural ethics, and Aristotelian virtue ethics. We may assert that care theory presents itself as a contextualized moral theory aiming at taking into account others’ vulnerability in a practical way. Hence, the general term of “care” may encompass the notions of “help,” “support,” and “healing process,” which, in France, have often been opposed for varied reasons—historical, economical, psychological, professional, etc . . . Switching from a moral position to a professional and practical activity, the concept of care has now undeniably taken on a social and political dimension.

Keywords

  • care
  • ethics
  • nursing philosophy
  • vulnerability
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