Ethics Theory and

Business Practice

8.2 Feminine Ethics – Part TwoChallenging the Idea that there is a

Characteristically Feminine Moral Voice

aims

• to outline some challenges to the idea that there is a characteristically feminine way of thinking about ethics

• to propose that, notwithstanding these challenges, care ethics theory foregrounds some important themes that might otherwise be overlooked

some challenges to care ethics theory

1. it offers a misleading, over-simplified depiction of women’s ethical perspective

2. it may encourage unhelpful gender stereotypes

3. it may foster paternalistic authority relationships

1. care ethics theory offers a misleading, over-simplified depiction of women’s

ethical perspective

• it may not apply to all socio-economic and ethnic groups

• its relevance may be limited by the significance it places on maternal care

• women may respond differently when confronted with other ethically charged issues

2. care ethics theory may encourage unhelpful gender stereotypes

• its simplified, two-fold categorization of masculine and feminine ethical perspectives perpetuates a problematic sexist dualism

• which legitimizes traditional, hierarchical gender roles

• which have particular significance in business contexts

3. care ethics theory may foster paternalistic authority relationships

• it offers an unequal and unidirectional depiction of care

• in which the powerful care for the less powerful• without consulting on the desirability of that

care• thus legitimizing a paternalistic/maternalistic

approach to stakeholder managementwww.youtube.com/watch?v=B9K9pNxljjg

care ethics theory may still offer valuable insights

• care ethics need not be understood as uniquely feminine

• instead, it could be expressive of the inclinations of many women and many men

• whose point of view goes unheard for not being expressed in a moral language that usually holds currency in corporate environments

• putting care ethics on the business-ethics agenda may thus give a voice to such people that they would otherwise be denied

• a voice that is rarely heard in business contexts

some alternative insights offered by an ethic of care on:

1. the business environment2. the nature of business ethics dilemmas3. how business ethics dilemmas should be

resolved 4. what can be expected of business ethics5. what it is to be an ethical businessperson6. what it is to be an ethical business

1. the business environment

a competitive environment in which corporations stand apart from their stakeholders, and in which they need to establish control

or

requires communication and cooperation if the potential for mutual benefit is to be realized

2. business ethics dilemmas

unavoidable conflicts between the ethical claims of separate, autonomous stakeholders

or

a threat to harmonious relationships between stakeholders

3. resolving business ethics dilemmas

a rational undertaking, which requires the dispassionate application of principles, and which can be carried out at a distance from the views of stakeholders

or

requires the facilitation of communication between stakeholders, so that all can reach agreement on mutually beneficial outcomes

4. expectation of business ethics

establishing which stakeholders’ ethical entitlements should take priority

or

generating understanding and helping all involved in business to perceive mutual interests and to act in ways which promote them

5. an ethical businessperson

one who is able to recognize which ethical entitlements should take precedence, and who acts accordingly

or

one who conducts business in a manner which shows respect for the needs and expectations of stakeholders

6. an ethical business

one in which people are encouraged to respect abstract principles and ethical codes

or

one in which people are encouraged to communicate with stakeholders, to understand their needs, and to care

theory in practice

BMW’s sale of its ‘English Patient’

key points• care ethics theory has been challenged on the

basis that it offers an overly simplified depiction, which may perpetuate unhelpful ways of thinking about gender and hierarchy

• nevertheless, it may also serve a useful purpose in foregrounding some ways of thinking about business ethics and stakeholder relations that would otherwise be pushed aside