Question 1

Alison M. Jaggar writes that Western moral theory has tended to

Accepted Answer

Alison M. Jaggar critiques Western moral theory for embodying "masculine" values, arguing that it often overlooks or undervalues perspectives and values traditionally associated with women.

Question 2

One hard fact that feminist ethicists are responding to is that, even today, most women in the world are viewed as

Accepted Answer

Feminist ethicists address the ongoing issue that women are often viewed and treated as second-class citizens compared to men, highlighting gender inequality and advocating for equal rights and treatment.

Question 3

Franco has decided he wants to adopt the ethics of care. He is now deliberating about whether to voice a controversial view during a get-together with his family. In order to apply the ethics of care, he should focus more on how

Accepted Answer

The ethics of care emphasizes maintaining and nurturing relationships, focusing on the needs of others, and the responsibilities that arise in relationships. Therefore, Franco should consider how his actions might impact the relationships with his family members, particularly if expressing his opinion could harm those he cares about.

Question 4

All feminist ethicists reject the traditional role played by principles in moral reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Feminist ethicists critique traditional ethics for being overly principle-driven and neglecting relational and contextual factors, but not all reject the role of principles altogether; many seek to integrate principles with a more nuanced understanding of human relationships and contexts.

Question 5

Most of the great ethical theorists of the past have assumed that women are morally inferior to men-that is, less mature, less important, and less rational than men.

Accepted Answer

Historically, many influential ethical theorists, such as Aristotle and Kant, held views that considered women to be morally inferior to men, reflecting the gender biases of their times.

Question 6

Suppose a Kantian says that we are never morally permitted to lie. An ethicist of care would

Accepted Answer

An ethicist of care emphasizes relationships and the needs of others, often advocating for actions that prevent harm or suffering to individuals. Therefore, they might find it morally permissible to lie if it prevents unnecessary suffering, contrasting with the Kantian absolute prohibition against lying.

Question 7

Feminist ethics is a moral theory.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Feminist ethics is a moral theory....

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics of ideal theories of ethics that feminist thinkers have criticized?

Accepted Answer

Feminist thinkers have criticized ideal theories of ethics for various reasons, but depicting individuals as having contempt for women is not typically framed as a characteristic of these theories. Instead, feminist critiques often focus on how these theories overlook or inadequately address issues like oppression, social interdependence, and the impact of unjust institutions on moral agency.

Question 9

Carol Gilligan calls the approach to ethics that focuses on being aware of people's feelings, needs, and viewpoints

Accepted Answer

Carol Gilligan is known for her work on moral development and ethics, particularly her critique of Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development. She proposed the "ethic of care" as an alternative to the justice-oriented approach to ethics, emphasizing the importance of caring for others, understanding relationships, and considering the context of decisions. This approach focuses on being aware of and responsive to people's feelings, needs, and viewpoints.

Question 10

The psychologist Carol Gilligan upended the belief that men and women think in radically different ways when making moral decisions when she argued that men and women think in exactly the same ways about morality.

Accepted Answer

Carol Gilligan argued that men and women often approach moral decisions differently, with men tending to prioritize justice and women more often emphasizing care and relationships, challenging the universality of Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development.

Question 11

One of the implications of assuming an idealized view of human beings is that one is unable to

Accepted Answer

Assuming an idealized view of human beings often leads to overlooking or denying the existence of negative aspects of human life, such as oppression and poverty, because these realities do not fit into the idealized narrative.

Question 12

Virginia Held insists that moralities built on the image of the independent, autonomous, rational individual are clear and powerful ways of thinking about ethics.

Accepted Answer

Virginia Held critiques traditional moral theories that prioritize autonomy, independence, and rationality, arguing instead for the importance of care, empathy, and interdependent relationships in ethical considerations.

Question 13

We are naturally impartial toward the interests of our friends and family, which, according to feminist philosophers, is a reason to adopt the ethical theories of Kant and Mill.

Accepted Answer

Feminist philosophers often critique traditional ethical theories like those of Kant and Mill for not adequately considering the partiality inherent in our relationships with friends and family. They argue that these theories overlook the moral significance of personal relationships and the care they require.

Question 14

The ethics of care is a perspective on ethics that highlights the

Accepted Answer

The ethics of care emphasizes the significance of personal relationships and virtues like compassion and kindness in ethical considerations, contrasting with more traditional ethical theories that focus on universal principles or rules.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT true of the ethic of care?

Accepted Answer

The ethic of care emphasizes relationships and responsibilities rather than abstract principles or rule-following, which is more characteristic of traditional moral theories.

Question 16

Julie considers herself an advocate of feminist ethics. Therefore, she should

Accepted Answer

Feminist ethics emphasizes the moral equality of all genders, advocating for equal rights and opportunities for men and women, rather than the superiority of one over the other or the rejection of moral principles.

Question 17

Annette C. Baier argues that in moral theory there is a place for both

Accepted Answer

Baier is known for her work in moral philosophy, particularly for integrating the ethics of care into discussions traditionally dominated by justice and rights. She argues that both care and justice perspectives are essential in moral theory, highlighting the importance of relationships and emotional connections alongside principles of fairness and justice.

Question 18

Feminist ethics narrows the area of moral concern from what we call "public life" to the interconnected and familiar small group-the people with whom we have close personal relationships.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Feminist ethics narrows the area of moral...

Question 19

The most obvious example of a relationship that is the focus of the ethics of care would be

Accepted Answer

The ethics of care emphasizes interpersonal relationships and care or benevolence as a virtue. Caring for one's child is a prime example of this ethical approach, focusing on the direct care and responsibility one has towards another individual, especially in a dependent relationship.

Question 20

Feminist ethicists argue that the ________ sphere be given at least as much consideration in morality as the sphere of the public.

Accepted Answer

Feminist ethicists emphasize the importance of the private sphere (which includes family life and personal relationships) in moral considerations, arguing it should be valued equally with the public sphere (which includes politics, business, and public interactions).

Quiz 8: Feminist Ethics and the Ethics of Care