Integrated ethic of care and Global bioethics

What is the focus of the Ethics of Care in bioethics?

Compassion, relationships, and responsibility in healthcare.

What are the learning outcomes of this lecture?

Explain the core principles of the Ethics of Care; compare with utilitarianism and deontology; apply care ethics to healthcare dilemmas; critically evaluate strengths and limitations.

Who developed the Six Stages of Moral Development?

Lawrence Kohlberg.

What does Kohlberg’s theory emphasize?

A justice-based, rule-oriented model of moral reasoning that influenced later critiques and alternatives like the Ethics of Care.

How does the Ethics of Care differ from Kohlberg’s model?

It views morality as relational rather than rule-based, focusing on empathy, connection, and care in moral decisions.

What are the philosophical foundations of care ethics?

Relational morality, empathy, responsibility, context sensitivity, and rejection of abstract universalism.

What is the core concept of care ethics?

Morality arises from relationships and responsibilities, not detached principles or duties.

Who is Carol Gilligan and what is her contribution?

Carol Gilligan developed the Ethics of Care framework, emphasizing a “different voice” of moral reasoning centered on care and relationships.

What was Carol Gilligan responding to?

Kohlberg’s male-centered model of moral development that prioritized justice reasoning over relational ethics.

What are the main critiques of Carol Gilligan’s work?

Gender essentialism, lack of empirical rigor, neglect of power and justice, and cultural bias.

What is meant by gender essentialism in Gilligan’s theory?

The idea that men are justice-oriented and women are care-oriented, though Gilligan later clarified that “different voice” is not biologically female.

What critique concerns empirical rigor?

Gilligan’s work was criticized for lacking systematic, empirical evidence.

What critique concerns overemphasis on gender?

Gilligan’s early work focused heavily on gender differences at the expense of other social factors such as class, disability, race, and inequality.

What critique concerns power and justice?

Gilligan’s initial model was seen as too focused on interpersonal empathy, neglecting political and institutional care; later addressed by Tronto.

What critique concerns cultural bias?

The early theory was seen as Western and middle-class, assuming moral norms that may not apply globally; later care theorists expanded to postcolonial and global perspectives.

Who developed the Relational Model of Care Ethics?

Nel Noddings.

What does Nel Noddings’ Relational Model emphasize?

The centrality of relationships between the “one-caring” and the “cared-for” as the foundation of moral life.

What is the ethical basis of Noddings’ model?

Moral action is guided by empathy, responsiveness, and attentiveness to the needs of others.

Give an example of Noddings’ model in practice.

The nurse–patient relationship, focusing on compassion and responsiveness.

How does Noddings’ model apply to chronic illness?

It emphasizes continuity, empathy, and contextual understanding between a GP and chronically ill patient.

How does Noddings’ model apply in childbirth?

A midwife supports the labouring mother through relational presence and emotional care.

How can educators apply Noddings’ relational ethics?

By fostering care and mutual respect in teacher–student relationships.

How does Noddings’ model apply to end-of-life care?

It prioritizes compassion, presence, and responsiveness to the dying patient’s needs.

Who developed the Political Ethics of Care?

Joan Tronto.

What is the focus of Tronto’s Political Ethics of Care?

Integrating care ethics with political theory to address systemic power, justice, and social responsibility.

What are Joan Tronto’s Four Phases of Care?

Caring About (recognizing need), Taking Care Of (assuming responsibility), Care-Giving (direct action), and Care-Receiving (response and feedback).

What does “Caring About” involve?

Recognizing that someone has a need that requires attention.

What does “Taking Care Of” involve?

Assuming responsibility and deciding how to respond to that need.

What does “Care-Giving” involve?

Performing the actual acts of care.

What does “Care-Receiving” involve?

Observing how the person receiving care responds to it.

What is “Caring With”?

The institutionalization of care in a just and sustainable way.

How does Tronto extend care ethics?

She connects personal care to political and institutional dimensions, developing “caring democracy.”

What is the relevance of Tronto’s framework to healthcare?

It helps identify how institutions share moral responsibility for patient care and social well-being.

How does care ethics compare to utilitarianism and deontology?

Care ethics focuses on relationships and context; utilitarianism focuses on outcomes; deontology focuses on duty and universal rules.

How can care ethics be applied to clinical practice?

By emphasizing empathy, context, and relational understanding in medical decision-making.

What is the dementia and refusal of food case study about?

A situation where applying care ethics involves understanding the patient’s context, relational bonds, and dignity rather than enforcing rigid rules.

How does care ethics relate to the Four Principles of biomedical ethics?

It complements autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice by highlighting relational and emotional dimensions often overlooked.

What are the strengths of care ethics?

It values empathy, relational awareness, and context; bridges moral theory with lived experience; and promotes compassion in healthcare.

What are the limitations of care ethics?

It can lack clear rules, risk partiality, and may struggle with large-scale justice or institutional policies.

What are some modern developments in care ethics?

Global care ethics, political ethics of care, feminist and postcolonial expansions, and integration with environmental and bioethical frameworks.

What are reflection questions associated with care ethics?

How can care ethics inform practice, policy, and research? How do we balance empathy with fairness and justice?

What are some key takeaways from the Ethics of Care?

Morality is relational, care is contextual, empathy is essential, and justice must be informed by compassion.

What does Global Care Ethics focus on?

Extending relational and care-based ethics to global and intercultural contexts.

Who are key thinkers in Global Care Ethics?

Joan Tronto, Virginia Held, Fiona Robinson, and other postcolonial and feminist ethicists.

What are examples of Global Care Ethics in action?

Global health initiatives, migration and care work, humanitarian aid, and climate responsibility.

What does integrating Global Bioethics and Care Ethics involve?

Applying relational responsibility and justice to global issues like healthcare inequality and environmental ethics.

What does Global Bioethics add to Care Ethics?

A focus on universal human dignity, transnational justice, sustainability, and global interdependence.

What is an example of Global Bioethics applied in practice?

Global health research ethics emphasizing equity, informed consent, and cultural respect.

How does climate and environmental ethics relate to care ethics?

It expands the circle of care to include ecosystems, future generations, and planetary well-being.

What is meant by a “Framework of Caring Justice”?

Combining care ethics with social justice to create equitable, compassionate, and sustainable global systems.

What case illustrates Tronto’s phases of care in practice?

The “Pillow Angel” case, which raises ethical questions about disability, dependence, and institutional care.

How does care ethics approach abortion?

By focusing on relational context, empathy, and understanding rather than abstract rights or duties.

What are the key principles of care ethics applied to abortion?

Responsiveness, relational context, avoidance of abstraction, recognition of vulnerability, and support for informed, compassionate decisions.

How can Global Bioethics and Care Ethics be integrated in abortion or similar cases?

By ensuring decisions respect cultural contexts, support autonomy, and prioritize compassionate care.

What ethical question is raised regarding the NHS and first-cousin marriage?

Whether healthcare systems should take a moral position or focus on providing informed, culturally sensitive care.