Carol Gilligan

Definition

Carol Gilligan is a renowned American feminist ethicist and psychologist who has made significant contributions to the field of feminist theories of ethics. She is best known for her groundbreaking work that challenged the traditional, male-centric approaches to moral development and ethical decision-making.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gilligan's work challenged the male-centric theories of moral development proposed by influential psychologists like Lawrence Kohlberg, who she argued overlooked the unique moral perspectives of women.
2. Gilligan's 'ethic of care' emphasizes the importance of relationships, empathy, and context-dependent moral decision-making, in contrast to the more abstract, rule-based 'ethic of justice' that had dominated traditional ethical theories.
3. Gilligan's research found that women often prioritize the maintenance of relationships and the consideration of the unique circumstances of a moral dilemma, rather than the application of universal moral principles.
4. Gilligan's work has been influential in the development of feminist ethics, which seeks to incorporate the lived experiences and moral perspectives of women into ethical theorizing and practice.
5. Gilligan's ideas have been widely debated and critiqued, with some arguing that her work essentializes gender differences in moral reasoning, while others have praised her for highlighting the limitations of traditional ethical frameworks.

Review Questions

• Explain how Carol Gilligan's 'ethic of care' differs from the traditional 'ethic of justice' in moral reasoning.
  • Carol Gilligan's 'ethic of care' emphasizes the importance of relationships, empathy, and context-dependent moral decision-making, in contrast to the more abstract, rule-based 'ethic of justice' that had dominated traditional ethical theories. Gilligan argued that women often prioritize the maintenance of relationships and the consideration of the unique circumstances of a moral dilemma, rather than the application of universal moral principles. This approach challenges the male-centric theories of moral development proposed by influential psychologists like Lawrence Kohlberg, which Gilligan believed overlooked the unique moral perspectives of women.
• Describe how Carol Gilligan's work has influenced the development of feminist ethics.
  • Carol Gilligan's groundbreaking work has been highly influential in the development of feminist ethics, which seeks to incorporate the lived experiences and moral perspectives of women into ethical theorizing and practice. Gilligan's 'ethic of care' framework, with its emphasis on relationships, empathy, and context-dependent moral decision-making, has provided a valuable counterpoint to the more abstract, rule-based approaches that had traditionally dominated the field of ethics. Feminist ethicists have built upon Gilligan's ideas to challenge the male-centric biases of traditional ethical theories and to develop new moral frameworks that better reflect the diverse experiences and moral perspectives of women and other marginalized groups.
• Analyze the key criticisms and debates that have surrounded Carol Gilligan's work on moral development and the 'ethic of care'.
  • Carol Gilligan's work on moral development and the 'ethic of care' has been widely debated and critiqued by scholars. Some have argued that Gilligan's work essentializes gender differences in moral reasoning, suggesting that there are inherent, universal differences between men and women's moral perspectives. Others have praised Gilligan for highlighting the limitations of traditional ethical frameworks and for bringing the lived experiences and moral perspectives of women into the forefront of ethical theorizing. Debates have also centered on the extent to which the 'ethic of care' should be considered a distinct moral framework or a complement to existing theories, as well as the potential risks of overemphasizing the role of relationships and context in moral decision-making. These ongoing discussions reflect the significant impact and continued relevance of Gilligan's work in the field of feminist ethics.

Related terms

Feminist Ethics: A philosophical approach that emphasizes the moral experiences and perspectives of women, focusing on themes such as care, relationships, and the context-dependent nature of ethical dilemmas.

Ethic of Care: A moral framework developed by Gilligan that prioritizes empathy, compassion, and the maintenance of relationships in moral reasoning, as opposed to the more abstract, rule-based approaches of traditional ethical theories.

Moral Development: The psychological and philosophical study of how individuals develop their moral reasoning and decision-making capabilities over time, which was a key focus of Gilligan's work.