Care is a fundamental way of relationships between relatives, couples, and family and a basic instinct inherent in almost all living organisms. Indeed, even animals take care of each other: when a female brings food to children, it is also considered as a manifestation of care. However, it took on a developed character among people, and it was accreted with many different opinions and theories. Most of the differences in the ethics of care are observed in the conflicting views in the gender aspect, namely, men and women. The aim of this paper is to analyze Virginia Held’s ethic care theory. On the one hand, the theory contributes to a good moral life since it provides an equal view on the care aspects, however, it exaggerates the significance of gender difference in this issue.
Primarily, one needs to analyze the approach of Virginia Held to the theory of care, namely the model consisting of three dimensions. Thus, the first central point of the ethics of care is on the compelling moral projection of meeting the needs of the others for whom one takes the responsibility (Held, 2006). It is essential to understand that realizing the dependence for the caregiver by those who are provided the care exhibits pressure or feelings of guilt. The second focus is on the value of the emotions rather than rejecting them (Held, 2006). Such emotions as empathy, sympathy, and sensitivity need to be cultivated in order to comprehend moral principles. The third concept is formulated by rejecting the rule that the more abstract the reasoning about a moral problem, the more likely to avoid arbitrariness and bias (Held, 2006). The ethics of care does not remove itself from the claim of persons with whom one shares the relationships.
Feminist views are at the root of many, including Virginia Held’s, approaches to care ethics. It is formulated mainly by the initial position of women in society as persons who are obliged to provide care. The foundation of the feminist’s views on this issue is an enormous amount of overlooked labor related to bringing up children and caring for the ill (Koggel and Orme, 2019). Such an approach formulates an argument for the correctness of Virginia Held’s theory and similar views, as it raises the question of the underestimation of the work of women in society. Moreover, it raises this issue to a higher level, thereby stimulating the establishment of equality. In turn, such a concept is the main principle in achieving morality in all aspects of life. Certainly, in a moral community, the work of each member of society should be evaluated appropriately and not perceived as a duty.
Further, the ethics of care promotes the understanding of care as a basic concept rather than as an action taking place in the context of responsibilities. In other words, care has been an integral part of life since the beginning of the existence of the world, a basic meaning. Koggel and Orme (2019) claim that “no child can even survive without a lengthy period of care, and further care is needed for many years for adequate development”. Indeed, such a view is justified at least by the fact that it is impossible to adequately take care of oneself at a child’s age, talking about the mother/child care model. Accordingly, in this case, care is not an action that occurs outside the zone of normal behavior. It is rather another integral stage of development, a basic part of life. It constitutes the second argument, why such an approach contributes to a good moral life.
Moreover, such a model argues for the task of Virginia Held and authors with similar views to take care to a higher level. They aim to apply care ethics to larger political and social issues that go beyond the level of personal relationships, and they consider it much more than just motherly ethics (Mizzoni, 2017a). This approach seems to be correct when viewing in the context of underestimating certain aspects of family values on the part of women. Conflicts often occur on this basis, namely that the work done by women to care for and keep the hearth is taken for granted. In this regard, raising this issue to a higher level formulates a possible solution to the problem, respectively, it is an argument for achieving morality. It also aims to eradicate the notion that a woman cares because one is afraid of being criticized and that this is their primary function.
One may think that the concept of care is complex and multifaceted and that providing the proper care is a difficult process. On the one hand, it is true since one may notice it by taking into account the mental model as an example. Thus, Virginia Held suggested imagining a situation in which a person is both a teacher of students and a father at the same time (Mizzoni, 2017b). On the one side, the person should provide enough care for the students, although, at the same time, do not show neglect for the child. In this regard, it would seem that the person should pay more attention to the child, but it will lead to the neglect of students. From a purely theoretical point of view, it shows how complex and controversial the concept of leaving is. However, considering the moral aspect, one is sure that the teacher should spend more time with children.
The ethics of care embody the prioritization of other people, namely those being cared for. Although, there are opposing models that are also considered essential for achieving good morality. In contrast to the ethics of care, in Gilligan’s point of view, ethics of justice constitutes the priority of the individual as the fundamental dynamics of social relations (Urban and Ward, 2020). In other words, the struggle for a person’s rights constitutes the basis of social relationships, formulating the concept of individualism. Such a model is contrary to the views of Virginia Held, however, it has a similar basic goal: the achievement of morality. Most of Gilligan’s works focused on the contrast of two different constructions of the moral domain (Urban and Ward, 2020). Thus, other values are used, such as combining two or more views of morality in achieving norms.
One may draw an analogy between Gilligan’s model and the views of Virginia Held since the latter raised the problem of different views on values from a masculine point of view and a feminine one. In other words, Gilligan proposed a new concept of achieving morality based on this issue, taking into account the differences. Thus, the features of male and female understanding of values are compared, and their peculiarities are also highlighted. With the help of this, it becomes possible to come to a single consensus, as one visualizes the contradictions. In this case, it becomes easier to develop ways to minimize these contradictions and achieve the final goal, namely good morality.
On the one hand, it seems to be an effective concept, however, one may note that considering the fundamental nature of care, gender issues may constitute an exaggeration. Care is the vital foundation of human life, without which it is impossible to survive (Held, 2006). Thus, one can conclude that the significance and scale of this concept elevate it above such issues as the difference of views. One may also assume that manifestations of care can not be different since they are not obtained from the outside but are inherent from birth. Thus, one may think that it is worth considering this concept as something separate and, above all, confusing factors.
To conclude, one identified that although providing equality in the views about care ethics, Virginia Held’s model overstates the importance of some aspects. Certainly, the care principles are complex and controversial, however, one may notice the degree of fundamentalism of these points. As noted above, care is one of the main pillars on which human life rests. However, some problems associated with this standout, namely, the conflicting perception of care from a male and female point of view. Virginia Held’s theory aims to take this concept to a broader level, taking into account the inequities in differences. It is also justified by the complexity of the concept of care, as it was exemplified by a teacher who is also a father. In this case, in the theoretical aspect, there is uncertainty with whom the teacher should spend more time, which constitutes the controversy.
References
Held, V. (2006). The ethics of care: Personal, political, and global. Oxford University Press.
Koggel, C. M., & Orme, J. (2019). Care ethics: New theories and applications. Routledge.
Mizzoni, J. (2017a). Ethics: The basics. (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Mizzoni, J. (2017b). Evolution and the foundations of ethics: Evolutionary perspectives on contemporary normative and metaethical theories. Lexington Books.
Urban, P., & Ward, L. (2020). Care ethics, democratic citizenship and the state. Springer Nature.