title: The ethics of care: normative structures and empirical implications.
abstract: In this article I argue that the ethics of care provides us with a novel reading of human relations, and therefore makes possible a fresh approach to several empirical challenges. In order to explore this connection, I discuss some specific normative features of the ethics of care--primarily the comprehension of the moral agent and the concept of care--as these two key elements contribute substantially to a new ethical outlook. Subsequently, I argue that the relational and reciprocal mode of thinking with regard to the moral agent must be extended to our understanding of care. I term this comprehension "mature care". Citing conflicts of interests as examples, I demonstrate how this conceptualization of care may further advance the ethics of care's ability to take on empirical challenges. Finally, I discuss political implications that may emanate from the ethics of care and the concept of mature care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo, PO Box 1020, Blindern, 0315 Oslo, Norway. tove.pettersen@ifikk.uio.no
authors.forename: Tove
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pettersen
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000941:ethics*; D026689:Ethical Analysis; D028663:Ethical Theory; D006801:Humans; D009014:Morals