Care Ethics and Confucianism: Caring through Li. (22nd April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Epley, Kelly M.
• Is Part Of: Hypatia. Volume 30:Number 4(2015:Winter)
• Page Start: 881
• Page End: 896
• Publication Date: 2015-04-22
• Subjects: Feminist theory -- Periodicals; Feminism -- United States -- Periodicals; Femininity (Philosophy) -- Periodicals; 305.4201
• DOI: 10.1111/hypa.12158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-5367

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="hypa12158-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The role of <italic>li</italic>, or ritual, in Confucianism is a perceived impediment to interpreting Confucianism to share a similar ethical framework with care ethics because care ethics is a form of moral particularism. I argue that this perception is false. The form of moral particularism promoted by care ethicists does not entail the abandonment of social conventions such as <italic>li</italic>. On the contrary, providing good care often requires employing systems of readily recognizable norms in order to ensure that care is successfully communicated and completed through one's care‐giving practices. I argue that <italic>li</italic> performs this communicative function well and that the early Confucians recommend breaching <italic>li</italic> precisely when its efficacy in performing this function is compromised.</p> </abstract>