MORAL THEORIES 3

PHILOS 2D03: BIOETHICS

Feminist Ethics
Feminist ethics generally characterized by

A reaction to:

1. d/evaluation, suppression, marginalization, commodification, oppression,

underrepresentation, discrimination, exploitation, inequality, etc.

2. ‘Masculine’ ethics championing traits of autonomous subjectivity, neutral

rationality, disembodied & disembedded individuality, abstract general
rules, etc.

An affirmation of:

1. Equality, inclusivity, expression, care

2. Relationality, mutual dependency, embodiment, contextual

embeddedness, intersectionality, diversity, background power conditions,
etc.
Care Ethics
1. Caring is about concrete relationships and direct
responsibility -> we cannot care-for in abstraction,
but in concrete relations

The one-caring must have a regard for the

cared-for to the degree that the one-caring is at
the service of the cared-for

The care-giver then becomes responsible to the

cared-for whom they receive in their care

Failure to care would, then, constitute harm

Care Ethics
1. The responsibility of caring is responsive -> the care-giver
expresses the appropriate moral emotions (e.g. empathy,
generosity, humility, integrity, sensitivity, etc.) that respond to the
needs of others

2. Relational Evaluation: will caring-for-others enhance or hinder the

network of interrelations already in play?

Evaluating the demands of care is partial and personal, occurring

at the intersection of interests and needs -> care is co-operative
and supportive

We cannot merely engage in abstract theorizing that fetishize

rules, principles and procedures
Care Ethics
3. Caring is foundational to human life and, as such, is
both a private and public issue -> care involves a
network of context-dependent care relations

4. Caring and being-cared-for involves relational

autonomy -> there is no ideal, neutral, independent,
purely rational agency

I.e. relationships are partially constitutive of who we are,

and our encounters with others always enhance or
diminish our capacity to act in care-appropriate ways

Agency is, then, always interdependent and dynamic

 Contractarian Ethics
Original Agreement: for Rawls, if we wished to create a just society,
we would have to arrive at an initial position of equality wherein we all,
as rational legislators, would determine what would count amongst
(us) as just and unjust

The Veil of Ignorance means that:

A. Everyone finds themselves similarly situated in an original position;

i.e. ignorant of their social status, gender, race, sexuality, financial
position, intellectual or physical talents, etc.

B. From this position each individual is represented as a free and

equal moral person

C. Each person would then seek to make decisions that would be fair;
i.e. impartially respecting the freedom and equality of all
Distributive Justice
If socio-economic inequalities arise that do not undermine the equal
right to basic political liberties, then they are not, prima facie, unjust

Natural Inequality: neither just nor unjust differences of

intellectual aptitude, physical ability, desire, temperament, etc.

Benefit the Least Advantaged: Inequality is justifiable if the

difference in wealth prospects between the naturally advantaged
and disadvantaged has the result of benefitting the most
disadvantaged

1. The naturally least advantaged will receive the greatest benefit

2. The naturally most advantaged will realize the least detriment