ETHICS OF CARE AND ITS APPLICATION IN SOCIAL POLICY IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF CAROL GILLIGAN
The ethics of care, as articulated by Carol Gilligan, represents a significant paradigm shift in moral philosophy by challenging the dominance of abstract, justice-oriented ethical frameworks. This paper critically examines Gilligan's care ethics and explores its relevance and application in contemporary social policy. Drawing from her seminal work, In a Different Voice, the study argues that moral reasoning is fundamentally relational, context-sensitive, and grounded in human interdependence. Unlike traditional models that emphasize autonomy, impartiality, and universal principles, care ethics foregrounds empathy, responsiveness, and the moral significance of relationships. The paper further analyzes how this framework can reshape key areas of social policy, including healthcare, education, welfare, and gender policy, by promoting more humane, inclusive, and contextually responsive approaches. It contends that care ethics provides a robust normative foundation for addressing structural inequalities and social vulnerabilities, particularly in pluralistic and developing societies such as Nigeria. By integrating carebased values into policy design and implementation, social institutions can better respond to the lived realities of individuals and communities. However, the study also engages with critical debates surrounding care ethics, including concerns about partiality, gender essentialism, and practical applicability in large-scale policy systems. Ultimately, the paper proposes a synthesis of care and justice as a more comprehensive ethical framework for social policy. This integration offers a transformative pathway toward fostering social cohesion, equity, and human dignity in contemporary governance.
Keywords: Ethics of Care; Social Policy; Moral Development; Human Interdependence