In a Different Voice: A discussion about Carol Gilligan and an Ethics of Care

Carol Gilligan, a prominent feminist ethicist and psychologist, revolutionized moral theory with her groundbreaking 1982 book, In a Different Voice. Challenging the dominant paradigms established by theorists like Lawrence Kohlberg, Gilligan argued that traditional models of moral development were biased toward a male-centric view, emphasizing justice, autonomy, and abstract reasoning. Her work introduced an alternative "ethic of care," highlighting how women's moral reasoning often centers on relationships, empathy, and responsibility to others. In a Different Voice not only redefined moral psychology but also sparked broader conversations about gender, voice, and the very criteria by which moral maturity is judged. The book remains influential in feminist philosophy, ethics, and developmental psychology, inviting readers to rethink the assumptions underlying moral judgment and the cultural frameworks that shape them.

All are welcome! No reading necessary!

Optional listening: Philosophize This! Episode 168