Publisher Description

With numerous examples to supplement her rich theoretical discussion, Nel Noddings builds a compelling philosophical argument for an ethics based on natural caring, as in the care of a mother for her child.

In Caring-now updated with a new preface and afterword reflecting on the ongoing relevance of the subject matter-the author provides a wide-ranging consideration of whether organizations, which operate at a remove from the caring relationship, can truly be called ethical. She discusses the extent to which we may truly care for plants, animals, or ideas. Finally, she proposes a realignment of education to encourage and reward not just rationality and trained intelligence, but also enhanced sensitivity in moral matters.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PREFACE TO THE 2013 EDITION PREFACE TO THE 2003 EDITION INTRODUCTION 1. WHY CARE ABOUT CARING? The fundamental nature of caring What does it mean to care? Problems arising in the analysis of one-caring The cared-for Aesthetical caring Caring and acting Ethics and caring 2. THE ONE-CARING Receiving Thinking and feeling: turning points Guilt and courage Women and caring Circles and chains Asymmetry and reciprocity in caring The ethical ideal and the ethical self Rules and conflicts 3. THE CARED-FOR The one-caring's attitude and its effects Apprehension of caring necessary to the caring relationship; unequal meetings Reciprocity The ethics of being cared for 4. AN ETHIC OF CARING From natural to ethical caring Obligation Right and wrong The problem of justification Women and morality: virtue The toughness of caring 5. CONSTRUCTION OF THE IDEAL The nature of the ideal Constraints and attainability Diminished ethical capacity Nurturing the ideal Maintaining the ideal 6. ENHANCING THE IDEAL: JOY Our basic reality and affect How should we describe emotion? Perception and emotion: the object of emotion and its appraisal Emotions as reasons Joy as exalted Receptivity and joy in intellectual work Joy as basic affect 7. CARING FOR ANIMALS, PLANTS, THINGS AND IDEAS Our relation with animals Our relation to plants Things and ideas Summary 8. MORAL EDUCATION What is moral education? The one-caring as teacher Dialogue Practice Confirmation Organizing schools for caring AFTERWORD NOTES SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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