Bridging the Gap between the Ethics of Care and Sociology of Welfare

DOI Web Site

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • ケアの倫理と福祉社会学の架橋に向けて
  • ケアの倫理と福祉社会学の架橋に向けて : ケアの倫理の存在論と社会論より
  • ケア ノ リンリ ト フクシ シャカイガク ノ カケハシ ニ ムケテ : ケア ノ リンリ ノ ソンザイロン ト シャカイロン ヨリ
  • ThroughOntology and Social Theory of Care
  • ケアの倫理の存在論と社会論より

Search this article

Abstract

This essay aims to bridge the gap between the ethics of care and the sociology of welfare. The author explores the sociology of welfare at the surface level since the author does not specialize in this field, but rather in the history of political philosophy. However, both disciplines share a common interest in two approaches: (1) To perceive the idea of welfare sociologically; that is, aiming for a better life, and (2) To ask what it means to live well, versus merely living. The author believes that reconsidering the ethics of care within the sphere of political philosophy also constitutes an approach to the concept of welfare. The essay begins with the argument that the ethics of care was born out of the struggles of women, who have historically taken on gender roles within the division of labor in a certain social context. How can such ethics offer an alternative theory of citizenship or society? Due to a strong influence of neo-liberalism, citizens are seen as homo economicus, and a society is viewed as a network of contracts and exchanges of goods. Carole Gilligan developed the theory of the ethics of care by listening to women who were deciding whether to have abortions. The decision to have an abortion has some political implications for society's assumptions (such as social contracts and individualism). This example also suggests that care for others always conflicts with one's own self-interests, and that the ethics of care is related to violence. By showing that our interdependent relationships with each other require "the ethics of care" to be a public ethic (not a personal one), the author tries to illustrate the particular social role that the ethics of care can play in the process of trying to realize well-being.

Journal

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top