Questions #7

1. Do you think the fact that Western ethics and ethical theory is almost
entirely told and produced by men, who held (and still hold?) low
opinions of women, biases ethics toward men and against women?
Explain.
I do believe that it biases ethics towards men against women. This bias has
started ever since the Bible was written. As a source of learning and literature,
most philosophers grew with the implicit idea that women were lesser than men.
At the time these theories were written the theme that women are not good
enough was not a matter of discussion, there was no way to argue this. And
since these men were considered the smartest men in the world, it has carried to
our generation and it is still here with us.
2. What is the significance for ethics of Carol Gilligan's conflict with
Kohlberg over moral development? How is the nature/nurture debate
implicated in this debate?
Kohlberg stated that women were less morally able than man. He only studied
white privileged males. Gilligan made her own study of girls to see the difference.
She realized than women do not go past stage 3 of Kohlbergs six stages. The
girls were more focused on emotions rather than an abstract sense of justice.
This is implicated by the misconceptions that women are by natured defined by
liking girly things like dolls. This is wrong since girls tend to like this because
they have been shown this product as acceptable for them, thus it can be implied
that women and men are similar in their nature but different in the sense that
they both have been shaped by society to think a certain way.
What is the significance of including the experience of dependence and
vulnerability in how we understand ethics? Contrast this to Kantianism,
utilitarianism, and virtue ethics.
The significance of the experience of dependence and vulnerability in ethics lays
on our loved ones. Feminist ethics states that we should care and be partial to
those close to us. Unlike Kantianism, Utilitarianism, and virtue ethics, this theory
creates an understanding that those we love are more likely to receive a special
treatment since we care more about those close to us than those who are not.
The rest of the theories take those who are close to us as part of the community,
thus stating that we should treat them as we would treat anybody else.
3. What moral theory, utilitarianism, Kantianism, or virtue ethics, is care
ethics most akin to? Explain.

I think Care Ethics is more akin to utilitarianism since they both want a better
end. Although the perspective of the better good might differ since in
utilitarianism it requires us to act on the benefit of everyone while in care ethics
is to be partial to our love ones and have a reciprocated relationship, they are
both predisposed to sacrifice in order to achieve this.

Abstract moral theory

Consequentialism
Deontology
Virtue Ethics
Feminist Ethics takes subjects in social positions
o Sex/ Gender
o Class
Justice, Independence (cold) reason
o Race
- Male dominated societies
o Ethnicity
o Religion
These are going to affect the quality of moral situations. There is often some
sort of inequality involved.
All ideas are influenced by social position.
Feminist we need more sympathy, empathy, caring, altruism, mercy (Even
to those who wronged us), compassion.