Ep 26: The Philosophy of Care with Elissa Strauss

Elissa's Substack: https://elissa.substack.com/

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Keywords

care ethics, dependency, self-actualization, relationships, parenting, gender perspectives, philosophy, ethics, spirituality, marriage

Summary

In this conversation, Elissa Strauss discusses the philosophy of care, emphasizing the importance of dependency in relationships and parenting. She critiques traditional views of self-actualization, arguing that true growth occurs in relational contexts. The discussion explores various ethical frameworks, including virtue ethics, deontological ethics, and utilitarianism, while highlighting the significance of care ethics. Gender perspectives on care and the impact of patriarchy are examined, along with religious views on dependency. The conversation culminates in reflections on navigating dependency in marriage and the emotional dynamics that shape relationships.

Takeaways

Care philosophy challenges the myth of independence.
Self-actualization is often a communal process, not an individual one.
Care involves inherent friction and complexity.
Gender perspectives influence how care is perceived and enacted.
Patriarchy often diminishes the value of care work.
Religious traditions can reflect care blindness.
Dependency is a natural state in human relationships.
Emotional dynamics in relationships are crucial yet often overlooked.
Navigating dependency requires empathy and understanding.
The seesaw of relationships is rarely balanced.

Titles

The Philosophy of Care: Embracing Dependency
Rethinking Self-Actualization in Relationships

Sound bites

"Self-actualization is a myth."
"Care involves friction."
"Care ethics is a messy moral philosophy."

Chapters

00:00 The Complexity of Faith and Identity
03:18 Philosophy of Care and Dependency
06:02 Self-Actualization vs. Co-Actualization
08:43 Ethics: A Deep Dive into Care
11:07 The Role of Care in Parenting
13:25 Gender Perspectives in Ethical Reasoning
16:26 Patriarchy and Care Ethics
18:53 Cultural Narratives and Care
21:14 The Intersection of Care and Spirituality
30:46 The Vulnerability of Caregiving
33:56 Wrestling with Spirituality and Parenting
35:38 Biblical Narratives and Their Modern Implications
39:56 The Complexity of Relationships and Dependency
41:05 Navigating Marriage and Care Dynamics
48:03 Understanding Emotional Connections in Relationships