Criteria Of Adequacy: The Ethics Of Care Theory

A moral theory is critiqued by reviewing the criteria of adequacy. The criteria of adequacy consist of three concepts: consistency with our considered moral judgements, consistency with the facts of moral life, and resourcefulness in moral problem-solving. A moral theory should obtain these concepts in order to be truly valuable. Therefore these concepts can be used to determine the importance of the theory of care ethics.

Criterion 1 asserts that within a moral theory, there should be a consistency with our moral judgements. Moral judgements, according to more dominant moral theories, are usually achieved when one puts aside biases and self-interests to make a moral decision. Therefore it is easy to assume that the ethics of care theory lacks criteria one, based on the fact that care ethics promote relations rather than impartiality. However the ethics of care theory is skeptical of universal rules and asserts that the “compelling moral claim of the particular other may be valid even when it conflicts with the requirement usually made by moral theories that moral judgments be universalizeable” (Vaughn 64). This can be proven plausible, when you think of the relationship between a mother and her child. A mother has a relationship with her child and therefore has a responsibility to care for

her child, showing that within this relationship there is no impartiality. Ethics of care asserts that morality is not defined by a set of rules, proposing that “we should be able to give moral guidance concerning actual relations that are trusting, considerate, and caring” (Vaughn 65). Therefore care ethics is consistent with our moral judgements, as most people would agree that a personal relationship with a physician establishes more trust with that physician and therefore in turn allows the physician to provide better judgement and care.
Criterion 2 asserts that there is a consistency with the facts of moral life, such as making moral judgements, and providing reasoning behind moral beliefs. Ethics of care places a strong importance on emotions such as sympathy and sensitivity. These types of emotions are seen as necessary in order to make sound moral judgements, while also providing a guideline to determine which course of action morality suggests. This is consistent with the facts of moral life due to the fact that ethics of care gives reasons for why the theory accepts emotions; the reason being that those judgements which rely solely on reason and calculation are deemed to be lacking (Vaughn 64). Ethics of care also places extreme importance of possessing special responsibilities to those with whom we are close to. In fact this view is seen as a major aspect in moral life for the ethics of care theory. This too is consistent with the facts of moral life, as judgements and beliefs revolve around personal relationships, such as mother and child, which are “compelling regardless of universal principles” (Vaughn 64).
The final criterion asserts that there is resourcefulness in problem solving, meaning that a theory should provide a way to answer or solve moral issues.

Unlike other moral theories which focus on individual interests or universal interests, ethics of care focuses on the grey area between these two interests. Those who believe in the ethics of care theory seek to “preserve or promote an actual human relation between themselves and particular others” (Vaughn 65). This means that when solving a moral problem, a person who follows ethics of care, does what will best suit the well-being of the person they are caring for, while at the same time looking out for their own

well-being.
Works Cited:
Vaughn, Lewis. Bioethics Principles, Issues, and Cases. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print.