The ethics of care is a normative ethical theory; that is, a theory about what makes actions right or wrong. It is one of a cluster of normative ethical theories that were developed by feminists in the second half of the twentieth century. While consequentialist and deontological ethical theories emphasize universal standards and impartiality, ethics of care emphasize the importance of relationships.

The basis of the theory is the recognition of:

1. The interdependence of all individuals for achieving their interests

2. The belief that those particularly vulnerable to our choices and their outcomes deserve extra consideration to be measured according to

i) the level of their vulnerability to one's choices

ii) the level of their affectedness by one's choices and no one else's

3. The necessity of attending to the contextual details of the situation in order to safeguard and promote the actual specific interests of those involved

Historical background

Carol Gilligan's Stages of Moral Development

Care ethics suggests that men focus on rules, laws, principle, and loyalty when wrestling with ethical issues. Women focus on the context in which the ethical issue is occuring, and the relationships which will be effected by whatever decision is made about the ethical issue.

Comparing ethics of care with traditional ethical positions

Ethics of care contrasts with more well-known ethical views, such as utilitarianism and deontology or Kantian ethics. This sort of outlook is what feminist critics call a 'justice view' of morality. A morality of care rests on the understanding of relationships as a response to another in their terms.