Caring About Feminism: Required Resources Read Review The Fo

Caring About FeminismRequired Resourcesreadreview The Following Resou

Caring About Feminism Required Resources Read/review the following resources for this activity: Textbook: Chapter 11 Lesson Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook) In week three, we were looking at rights ethics with regards to Locke. As a reminder, Locke said we have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property. It is immoral to violate them. Many think we have more rights than those listed by Locke. Some even think we have a right to health care. That means it is the duty of the state to provide each citizen with their medical needs. Rights theory says to respect the entitlements we have. If a right is inalienable, it cannot truly be violated ethically even with our consent. We have basic needs. Rights are something beyond needs. They are what we should be authorized to have. We are due what we have a right to. That is not always the case with need. For example, we need food, but people often go hungry. A need refers to something we need physically to exist. A right is a moral entitlement to something. Asking if we have a right to food is a moral question. Needs are determined by the requirements of the body and of material existence. Rights are determined by moral reflection, inquiry, an argument We have a right to own property. We do not need it to live. We could imaginably be allowed to use another's. We have a right to own a home. We can rent. For the initial post, respond to one of the following options, and label the beginning of your post indicating either Option 1 or Option 2: Option 1: Assess the moral solutions arrived at through "care" (care-based ethics) and "rights" ethics to social issues of ethical import such as poverty, drug use, and/or lack of health care, That is, note any ethical problems that arise related to those particular issues. Then, say how both care-based and rights theory of ethics would solve those problems. Are those solutions correct? Why or why not? What is your own approach there? Option 2: What moral guidelines should we use when it comes to recently introduced healthcare technologies of any kind (you will note and engage with your own examples) and social technologies of any kind (you will note and engage with your own examples)? Involve care-based ethics in your answer Writing Requirements Minimum of 2 posts (1 initial & 1 follow-up) Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside scholarly source) APA format for in-text citations and list of references

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires a critical examination of ethical frameworks—particularly "care-based ethics" and "rights" ethics—in addressing significant social issues such as poverty, drug use, and health care. Additionally, it involves analyzing how these ethical models propose to solve these issues and evaluating the adequacy of their solutions. Alternatively, the task also explores the moral guidelines appropriate for technological advancements in health care and social systems, emphasizing care ethics. This paper will focus primarily on the first option, providing a comprehensive analysis of these ethical theories in relation to social justice concerns.

Introduction

Ethical frameworks serve as vital tools for navigating complex social issues. "Rights" ethics, grounded in moral entitlements such as those articulated by John Locke, emphasize the importance of respecting individuals' inalienable rights, including life, liberty, and property. Conversely, "care-based ethics" prioritizes relationships, empathy, and the moral importance of caring for others. Both theories offer distinct solutions to pressing social problems like poverty, drug use, and inadequate health care, yet their effectiveness and moral justifications warrant critical examination.

Rights Ethics and Social Issues

Rights theory asserts that individuals are entitled to specific moral or legal claims, which should not be violated regardless of circumstances (Miller, 2017). In addressing issues such as poverty or lack of health care, rights ethics often advocate for the protection of basic rights—such as access to healthcare—as preconditions for justice. For example, proponents argue that health care is a human right and that the state has an obligation to ensure equitable access (Daniels, 2008). However, critics question the feasibility of universally guaranteeing such rights, citing resource limitations and conflicts with individual property rights. Moreover, in practice, rights-based solutions may prioritize individual entitlements over societal or collective needs, potentially neglecting the relational dimensions emphasized in other ethical frameworks.

Care Ethics and Social Issues

Care ethics emphasizes the moral significance of nurturing relationships, empathy, and responsiveness to others' needs. It challenges the impersonal nature of rights-based approaches, foregrounding interconnectedness and moral responsibility at personal and community levels (Held, 2006). Applied to social issues, care ethics would advocate for community-based interventions, social support systems, and policies that prioritize vulnerable populations—such as the homeless or those suffering from addiction—by fostering relational bonds and compassion (Tronto, 2013). For instance, addressing poverty via care ethics involves building social environments where care and mutual responsibility are central, rather than solely focusing on individual rights.

Comparison and Critical Evaluation

Both ethical approaches offer valuable insights, yet also face limitations. Rights ethics provide a clear standard for entitlements but risk individualism and neglecting relational contexts. Care ethics, meanwhile, emphasizes moral sensitivity and community well-being but may lack clear, enforceable standards. For example, advocating for the right to health care aligns with rights ethics, but implementing universal access involves complex resource allocation, which natural rights frameworks may overlook. Conversely, care-based approaches excel at fostering social cohesion but may struggle to establish consistent policies that protect everyone's rights equally.

My Approach and Reflection

In my view, an integrated ethical approach that combines rights-based principles with care ethics offers the most promising pathway. Recognizing individuals' rights to health care ensures a baseline of justice, while incorporating care ethics emphasizes the importance of relational compassion and community engagement. This hybrid approach can address systemic inequalities more holistically by safeguarding entitlements while fostering empathy-driven social support. It aligns with the growing recognition that social justice requires both structural guarantees and moral sensitivity to individual circumstances (Nussbaum, 2011).

Conclusion

Addressing social issues such as poverty and health care necessitates both respect for individual rights and a caring moral community. Rights ethics provide clear standards for justice but may overlook relational needs, whereas care ethics promote empathy but may lack enforceability. An ethically sound approach involves integrating these frameworks to promote justice, compassion, and social cohesion, thereby fostering equitable and humane solutions to pressing social challenges.

References

  • Daniels, N. (2008). Just health: Meeting health needs fairly. Cambridge University Press.
  • Held, V. (2006). The ethics of care: Personal, political, and global. Oxford University Press.
  • Miller, D. (2017). Principles of social justice. Harvard University Press.
  • Nussbaum, M. C. (2011). Creating capabilities: The human development approach. Harvard University Press.
  • Tronto, J. C. (2013). Caring democracy: Markets, equality, and justice. New York University Press.