THE ETHICS OF CARE - A FEMINIST VIRTUE ETHICS OF CARE FOR HEALTH-CAREPRACTITIONERS

In this paper I seek to distinguish a feminist virtue ethics of care f rom (1)justice ethics, (2) narrative ethics, (3) care ethics and (4) v irtue ethics. I also connect this contemporary discussion of what make s a virtue ethics of care feminist to eighteenth and nineteenth centur y debates about male, female, and human virtue. I conclude that by foc using on issues related to gender-primarily those related to the syste ms, structures, and ideologies that create and sustain patterns of mal e domination and female subordination-we can begin to appreciate that true care and bona-fide virtue can flourish only in societies that tre at all persons with equal respect and consideration.