S u m m a r y

 

Juujärvi S (2006)

Care &endash; another voice of morality. A review of empirical research on Carol Gilligan's theory

Psykologia 41: 420&endash;426. Vammala ISSN 0355-1067.

 

The article reviews empirical research on Carol Gilligan's theory of the ethic of care, and compares Gilligan's and Kohlberg's moral theories. Studies show that care reasoning is used alongside with justice reasoning in solving moral dilemmas. The most important determinant of the choice of the mode of moral reasoning is the content of dilemma. Moral dilemmas focused on the needs of other people tend to invoke care reasoning. Gilligan's developmental theory of care levels has also received empirical support. The claim of gender-related moralities has, however, largely been disproved. Both Gilligan's and Kohlberg's developmental theory depict the development of the concepts of relationships, and therefore complement each other. An individual can be advanced in both modes of moral reasoning, care and justice.

 

Keywords:

Carol Gilligan, the ethic of care, development of care reasoning, moral development.

 

Soile Juujärvi, Ph.D. Laurea university of applied sciences, Metsänpojankuja 3, FIN-02130 Espoo, Finland. e-mail. soile.juujarvi@laurea.fi