CAROL GILLIGAN

Carol Gilligan, a prominent psychologist and ethicist, challenged the dominant theories of moral development, particularly those of Lawrence Kohlberg. Kohlberg's stages of moral development, based primarily on research with boys, suggested that men tend to score higher in moral reasoning. Gilligan's work with women yielded different results, prompting her to propose an alternative perspective: the ethics of care.

1. Key Concepts in Gilligan's Ethics of Care

• Focus on Relationships: Gilligan's theory emphasizes the importance of relationships and maintaining social connections in moral decision-making. Moral decisions are driven by a desire to avoid harming others and to preserve relationships.
• Contextual Reasoning: Unlike Kohlberg's focus on universal principles, Gilligan argues that morality is often contextual. The right course of action depends on the specific situation and the people involved.
• Voice and Responsibility: Gilligan highlights the importance of listening to different voices and perspectives, particularly those who might be most affected by a decision. Moral actors feel a sense of responsibility towards others and the potential consequences of their choices.

2. Comparison with Justice-Based Ethics

• Justice-Based vs. Care-Based: Traditionally, ethical theories have leaned towards a "justice-based" approach, emphasizing fairness, rights, and abstract principles. Gilligan's ethics of care offers a contrasting perspective, focusing on relationships, responsibilities, and the specific context of a situation.
• Gender and Moral Reasoning: Gilligan's work challenges the notion that men are inherently better at moral reasoning. She suggests that the "justice-based" approach might favour a masculine way of thinking, while the "ethics of care" reflects a more feminine perspective. However, Gilligan emphasizes that both approaches are valuable and can coexist.

3. Criticisms of Gilligan's Theory

• Overly Feminine: Some critics argue that Gilligan reinforces gender stereotypes by associating care with women. They point out that men can also be motivated by care and that women can prioritize justice.
• Universal Applicability: Critics question whether the ethics of care can be universally applied, especially in complex situations involving large groups of people.

4. Significance of Gilligan's Work

• Expanding Moral Reasoning: Gilligan's theory broadened our understanding of moral development by including the perspective of care and relationships.
• Diversity in Ethics: Her work highlighted the importance of considering different voices and approaches to ethical decision-making.
• Real-World Applications: The ethics of care can be applied in various fields, such as healthcare, social work, and education, where building and maintaining relationships is crucial.

Carol Gilligan's ethics of care offers a valuable addition to ethical theory. It emphasizes the importance of relationships, context, and taking responsibility for the impact of our choices. While not without its critics, Gilligan's work continues to influence discussions about moral development, gender, and how we approach ethical dilemmas.