Introduction

Feminist scholar Carol Gilligan developed a feminist approach to ethics, the ethic of care, with her book In a Different Voice. She, along with other feminists, maintain that the traditional, male identified ethical theory tends to focus on justice and abstract reasoning, whereas women’s approach to ethics often aims at maintaining and nurturing attachment with others. Further, the ethics of care values the role of emotions such as empathy and sensitivity as a means to determine the best ethical course of action.This activity aligns with module outcomes1 and 4.

Discussion Question

Prepare for this discussion by completing your readings and viewings. Then respond to the following:

• Is caring necessarily a female trait, biologically or socially? To what extent does distinguishing between male and female ethics encourage more gender stereotypes? Can it lead to the evaluation of one ethical approach as superior to the other? Please provide a concrete example.
• Describe the ethics of care and identify a character in a book, poem or piece of literature who best exemplifies this philosophy.

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Evaluation Criteria

Initial Discussion Post

Your initial post should be at least 250 words and must substantively integrate the assigned readings from the module with proper APA style formatting. You may use additional sources and materials as long as they are relevant to the discussion and cited properly.