he ethic of care is discussed extensively in the nursing literature and specifically with respect to nursing ethics. The ethic of care has its roots in feminist thought; however, the two perspectives are not one and the same. In general, feminism argues for recognition that women tend to view the world and respond to the world differently than men. Sherwin (1992) points out how, historically, this has tended to devalue or deprive women of their status as moral agents by creating an anti-female bias in ethical theory.

Carol Gilligan (1993), and other writers, contend there are two different patterns of moral reasoning, with women generally exhibiting a relationally based ethic (predominantly concerned with care) and men preferring a rule-based ethic (more concerned with justice and rights). Gilligan labeled the first pattern of reasoning, with its focus on feelings and relationships, the ethic of care. The second pattern of reasoning, with its focus on developing universal rules in order to ensure fairness, was labeled the justice perspective. It is important to point out that both men and women are capable of reasoning in either perspective and may lean toward one in some situations and the other in other situations.

In the ethic of care, problem situations are approached in a more context-specific way that looks for resolution in the particular details of a problem situation. Universal principles are only valid if they can be applied with room for discretionary judgment based on the unique circumstances of each situation. There is primary attention paid to preserving relationships and generating options through better communication and cooperation. Also of concern is finding a solution that avoids harming anyone or that minimizes harm to all involved and that promotes caring in the situation.