title: The ethics of self.
abstract: This article attempts to elucidate the ethical meaning behind the words 'the ethics of self' and 'an ethical self', particularly in the light of Noddings' 'ethical self', in order to show the relevance of these terms to the practice of ethical caring. It examines the relationship that Noddings believes exists between one's actual self and the vision one has of one's ideal self. I attempt to draw out a meaning derived from the texts in which this concept has been captured, while at the same time juxtaposing the concept 'ethic of care' from my own research, together with the meaning given by philosophers Peta Bowden, Iris Murdoch and Simone Weil, who have written on the subject, albeit indirectly in some instances. A participant in a colleague's research on care and patient satisfaction used similar expressions, and gave the impetus for this article.
authors.affiliation: haegert@netactive.co.za
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haegert
mesh_terms: D004645:Empathy; D028663:Ethical Theory; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000941:ethics*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000941:ethics; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing