Class Notes on Ethics of Care and Museum Experience Discussion

Syllabus and Class Schedule

• Importance of syllabus for exam preparation
• Confirmation about class schedules for next week (Tuesday/Thursday)
• Note on course evaluations - students encouraged to complete thoughtfully

Museum Trip

• Discussion about a recent museum trip, highlighting its significance

• Acknowledgment of students who faced issues (like a flat tire) during trip

• Encourage those who went to share experiences and impressions of museum exhibits

• Mention of the Frida Kahlo exhibit, which provided a free entry with student IDs

• Collective reflections on the importance of seeing art in person versus online

Upcoming Assignments and Topics

• Information on an upcoming worksheet assigned for the next class
• Details on possible topics for final papers, including options to write on individual topics after discussing with instructor
• Emphasis on reviewing readings (Virginia Held vs. Kant & Mill) and their implications on ethics

Discussion on Ethics of Care

• Paradigm shift in understanding ethics. From individualism to relational conceptions of humanity:
• Virginia Held's Ethics of Care:
  • Focuses on meeting needs of others and relationships are fundamental
  • Rejects traditional views that prioritize abstract reasoning over emotional understanding
  • Values emotions (sympathy, empathy, sensitivity) as vital components of moral behavior
  • Feeling moral indignation (anger) as a response to injustice is discussed
  • Justifies a caring perspective, arguing for a better understanding of morality

Key Features of Ethics of Care:

1. Compelling Moral Salience:

• Highlighting the significance of attending and meeting the needs of others we care for and take responsibility for.

1. Valuation of Emotions:

• Values emotional responses unlike traditional ethics that diminish emotions

1. Rejecting Abstract Reasoning:

• Critiques the view that detaching from personal emotions leads to better moral reasoning.

1. Conception of Persons:

• Philosophy on personhood changes based on relational and individual identity

1. Interdependence in Relationships:

• Moves from viewing individuals as primary to seeing them as fundamentally relational

Critique and Discussion

Discussion around the nuances of balancing emotional intelligence in moral decision-making with the challenges of applying care at a policy level

Moving towards bringing the ethical framework to political discussions around care and justice.

Conclusion of Class

Preparation for next class to further discuss Held's work and readings from Angela Davis.

Students encouraged to think about which philosophical perspectives resonate more for them regarding individualism vs. relational perspectives.

Final Note:

Review prompts for the final paper and prepare for Angela Davis's readings in the next session.