International Journal of Applied Ethics

On Mechanization of Care Work: Perspectives of Ethics of Care

Arundhati Dubey — 2023-07-04

This paper concerns the mechanization of care work in relation to the presence of “care deficit” in modern societies. It exposes the ramifications of complete mechanization of care work on the care giver, care receiver as well as the society at large from the lens of Ethics of Care. It is an undisputed fact that women have been catering to care needs in the society for over centuries and are subjected to injustice by virtue of it. But any understanding that ascertains mechanization of care as a means to better the condition of female care givers is based on an inadequate understanding of care. It reduces care tendered to a merely personal sentiment devoid of any rational and moral value. It conceives of care as a mechanical event and not a process involving moral and rational facets as well. I intend to subvert this position by analyzing care work through the perspective of Ethics of Care. I subsequently establish that even the most efficient technology cannot substitute for the humanly tendered care. However, the condition of women by virtue of tending to the care-needs cannot be overlooked. In the final sections of the paper I highlight how conceiving of care as a social and political good suggests concrete ways to address the situation of the care-givers alongside attending to the “care deficit” in the society.

Varieties of Journalistic Objectivity

Debangali Dutta — 2023-07-27

Journalistic media plays an important role in society especially a democratic one. The public cannot reach out and acquire knowledge about each and everything that may bear upon their executing their democratic rights. Journalistic media bridges this epistemic gap. Journalistic media, often called the fourth pillar of democracy, also performs a “checking function” on the other three pillars namely executive, judiciary and legislature. The understanding of journalistic media's role in society can be refined further with the addition of, or resolution of already stated goals into, further goals. Yet, it should be clear that all of these roles ultimately depend on journalistic media playing the epistemic role of bridging the epistemic gap between the public and facts. Playing this epistemic role properly requires objectivity which, in simple terms, may be understood as consisting in allowing the facts to be conveyed to the public as is, without any modifications or colouring so to speak. But, this simplistic and readily accessible definition of objectivity papers over many differences between distinct kinds of objectivity. Given the significance of the notion for journalism it is required that we understand exactly what objectivity is, whether and what its different varieties are, and how they figure in journalistic practice. In this paper I will discuss three varieties of objectivity and how they pertain to journalism's ability to fulfil its role in democracy

On Motherhood: An Ethical and Social Perspective

Palak Mittal — 2023-07-16

The ongoing discussions in contemporary times revolve around the ethical considerations surrounding the utilization of the wombs of brain-dead women as surrogates to assist women who are unable to conceive. These debates coexist with arguments advocating for the mother's free will and consent during maternity, while also cautioning against the potential denial of such rights. Additionally, various philosophical debates inquire about the classification of the relationship between the foetus and the maternal organism, as well as the definition of the connection between the latter and the baby being carried in her womb.

This paper aims to examine the ethical dimensions of the journey of motherhood. While the baby typically receives significant attention, the same cannot be said for the mother. This raises inquiries such as whether the mother is merely a means to an end, merely a vessel carrying the baby. While many individuals are eager to embrace the baby, where are those who are willing to support the mother? This paper seeks to address these questions through the lens of Simone De Beauvoir's theory of the "Other" as presented in her book, "The Second Sex.”

Women's Rights to Inheritance and Property Ownership in Islam

Najmun Khatun — 2023-07-27

The primary purpose of this paper is to focus on women's rights of inheritance and property ownership in Islamic law or Sharia. Though a few women can hold their property ownership and possess the rights to inheritance in some Islamic cultures, the rest of the Muslim women are deprived of their economic rights. In this paper, I have tried to show that the Islamic texts – the Qur'an and the Hadīth do not discriminate between the rights of males and females. But in social practice, the scenario is different. Women's rights are violated in their own families, whether in their parents' or matrimonial houses.

Reducing Inequality for Persons with Disabilities

Vineet Gairola — 2023-07-29

Disability and development are about power, access, solidarity, advocacy, inequality, rights, voice, and support. It is about accessing accessibility. It is important to understand the politics of language—how we conceptualize persons with disabilities. Disability is heterogeneous in nature. Each person has disabling parts and “normal” parts. As human beings, representations are critical to understanding and experiencing the world. Representation helps one to know what is awful, reprehensive, acceptable, possible, desirable, etc. Sometimes our lives are represented in ways that do not match how we experience the world. Other times, representations articulate our lives and experiences in ways we may be unable to express. Representations structure reality. Hence, they can be a critical component in bringing about rights. It is crucial to look at the needs and challenges at the ground level in a different context. Understanding why survival is considered sufficient and not full participation is important. Policies need to resonate culturally. Otherwise, they tend to be confined to particular classes and groups in societies with access to technology, information, and the English language. What matters is the visibility of disability.