THE ETHICS OF CARE AS A FEMINIST CRITIQUE OF KANTIANISM, UTILITARIANISM AND LIBERALISM

Abstract

In the paper, I discuss ethics of care as a feminist critique of Kantianism, utilitarianism and liberalism. The critique focuses on justice, rationality, individualism and the free market. The perspective taken by the proponents of the ethics of care is based on emotions, sensitivity and empathy. The ethics of care is based on the life experiences of women, while the ethics appealing to logic grows out of the experiences of men. The ethics of care focuses on relations, while traditional ethics refers to rules, norms and rights. It considers relations between family members or friends, based on care, as crucial for the whole society. From that point of view, the ethics of care criticizes liberalism which splits human life into two separate spheres – private and public.