The Idea of a Female Ethic - Essay Example

The ethical priorities of men and women are different. The roles of males and females have been defined by the society in great detail and this is the reason why the ethical priorities are not same. However this does not mean that the notion of virtue or ethics is different in females. Their idea of virtue is same, but they think some things to be more important than the others. The difference is in the extent, not in the whole idea of virtue. Women actually go through many experiences in lives that change their perception of virtue.

The feeling of motherhood is one such experience. Grimshaw argues that these experiences cause a difference in the ethical priorities of the woman (pg, 90). They may have a tendered approach in their decisions, but their perception of right and wrong will not change. They may have a tendency to look a matter with a different angle, but their ethical reasoning is not flawed. This argument of flawed reasoning actually has been used by many to deprive women of their rights. This is something that is not justified.

The idea that gender differences can distort the perception of reality is not rational or logical. The difference is in the ethical priorities of men and women, but not in the conception of virtue. This difference is due to the different social roles men and women play in their lives. This should not be used to defend any chauvinistic policy against women as it is the society that has inculcated this difference in women.