Which ethical theory emphasizes the enhancement of caring while respecting traditional values?

The ethical theory that emphasizes the enhancement of caring while respecting traditional values is the ethic of care. This theory focuses on interpersonal relationships and the responsibilities that arise from those connections, valuing the importance of empathy, compassion, and communication. The ethic of care encourages practitioners to consider the context of relationships and to prioritize care and emotional engagement in ethical decision-making.

This approach often intersects with traditional values, supporting the notion that caring is essential not only for personal relationships but also in professional ethics, particularly in healthcare and counseling. Emphasizing this relational aspect can lead to more morally attentive practices that honor both individual dignity and the historical context of the communities involved.

In contrast, principle-based ethics primarily revolves around universal principles that guide moral action, which may lack the relational aspect central to the ethic of care. Virtue ethics focuses on the character of the moral agent rather than the act or consequences, and beneficence refers strictly to the obligation to help others and promote their well-being without addressing the importance of nurturing relationships.