Empathy and the Acquiring of a Caring Perspective

This chapter is dedicated to the theme of caring in ethics. It is here explained how can empathy develop a caring perspective and, by means of that, a moral character. The concept of receptivity (analysed, i.e. by Michael Slote) is demonstrated to be essential for moral behaviour and receives in this chapter further attention that links it inextricably to empathy. Finally, the causal chain that connects empathy with care and care with (moral) action is illustrated in its circularity, which, far from being a weakness, reveals the strength of the ties between empathy, caring, and morality.