Philosophy Faculty Publications
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2004
Publication Source
Moral Psychology: Feminist Ethics and Social Theory
Abstract
Feminists have been especially concerned, of course, with the particular personal and moral perils that may be associated with the sociopolitical situation( s) of women. In particular, as many have observed, the cultural assignment of women to various forms of "caring labor" can be harmful to women, both individually and collectively, by rendering them dangerously vulnerable to exploitation. Women who fail to rein in their "caring" for others may maintain relationships at all costs (including to themselves), avoid legitimate self-assertion in order to keep the peace, devote their energies to others at the expense of seIf-development, and protect even those others whose behavior is abusive or exploitative. In short, there are significant moral and-personal dangers associated with excessive or deformed practices of care for others, especially when these are combined with inadequate regard for oneself. Attention to these dangers may lead us to question whether -- as is commonly assumed -- the path to fully responsible moral agency, and out of oppression, always involves more caring attention to others and less to oneself. The emphasis of the philosophical tradition on avoiding selfishness may gain its surface plausibility, at least in part, from a pervasive male bias.
In this chapter, I build on these and other insights of feminist philosophy in an attempt to describe and recommend a certain state of character -- one that I see as personally vital, morally important, and enormously difficult and vexing for many women.
Inclusive pages
201-217
ISBN/ISSN
978-0742534803
Document Version
Published Version
Copyright
Copyright © 2004, Rowman & Littlefield. All rights reserved. Please contact the publisher for permission to copy, distribute or reprint.
Publisher
Rowman & Littlefield
Place of Publication
Lanham, MD
eCommons Citation
Whisnant, Rebecca, "Woman Centered: A Feminist Ethic of Responsibility" (2004). Philosophy Faculty Publications. 164.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/phl_fac_pub/164
Included in
Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Philosophy Commons, Women's Studies Commons
Comments
This chapter is provided for download by permission of the publisher. Permission documentation is on file.
To read the entire book, visit an academic library or see the publisher's website.