Kant Theory

1. We each exist in a web of relationships and should preserve and nurture those concrete and valuable relationships we have with specific persons.

2. We each should exercise special care for those with whom we are concretely related by attending to their particular needs, values, desires, and concrete well-being as seen from their own personal perspective, and by responding positively to these needs, values, desires, and concrete well-being, particularly of those who are vulnerable and dependent on our care.

An ethic of care, therefore, can be seen as encompassing the kinds of obligations that a so-called communitarian ethic advocates. A communitarian ethic is an ethic that sees concrete communities and communal relationships as having a fundamental value that should be preserved and maintained.

The demands of caring are sometimes in conflict with the demands of justice, though, and no fixed rule exists to resolve these conflicts. Critics point out that the ethics of care can easily degenerate into unjust favoritism. Though the ethics of care can also lead to burnout, the advantage of the theory is that it is a corrective to the other approaches that are impartial and universal.

¬2.5 Integrating Utility, Rights, Justice, and Caring

So far, the chapter has outlined four main kinds of basic moral considerations:

1. Utilitarian standards - must be used when we do not have the resources to attain everyone's objectives, so we are forced to consider the net social benefits and social costs consequent on the actions (or policies or institutions) by which we can attain these objectives.

2. Standards that specify how individuals must be treated - must be employed when our actions and policies will substantially affect the welfare and freedom of specifiable individuals. Moral reasoning of this type forces consideration of whether the behavior respects the basic rights of the individuals involved and whether the behavior is consistent with one's agreements and...