Eros and care are two central aspects of human experience that have been explored extensively in both philosophy and literature. Eros is often associated with passionate love, desire, and romance, while care is linked to compassion, concern for others, and nurturing relationships. In recent years, there has been growing interest in examining how these two concepts can be integrated into a cohesive system of ethics. This has led to debates about whether it is possible to integrate eros and care without creating moral hierarchies and how such integration might look like in practice.
One approach to integrating eros and care is through the concept of "radical impartiality." Radical impartiality suggests that morality should be based on an understanding of all sentient beings as equal, regardless of their species, gender, sexual orientation, race, or other characteristics. In this view, erotic attraction and caring relationships can coexist without one being privileged over the other.
If two women enter into a relationship where they each express affection, lust, and commitment to each other, then this would be considered morally neutral, even though some may perceive it as immoral due to cultural biases against lesbianism.
Critics argue that radical impartiality fails to acknowledge the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups who face discrimination and oppression based on their identities. They point out that treating all relationships equally ignores the ways in which power dynamics can shape them and lead to abuse or exploitation.
A lesbian couple who are both white, middle-class, and well-educated may have different levels of access to resources than a poor, transgender woman of color. Therefore, their experiences of love and intimacy may not be comparable.
Another way of integrating eros and care is through the idea of "careful eros." Careful eros is based on the notion that passionate love can be ethically justified when accompanied by genuine concern for the beloved's well-being. This approach emphasizes the importance of caring for others while also acknowledging our desires and needs. A lesbian couple might express their love for each other through physical touch and intimate conversations but also prioritize each other's emotional health and safety.
Careful eros has been criticized for potentially leading to moral hierarchies within relationships. Some argue that putting one person's needs above another's can create an unhealthy power dynamic where one partner becomes overly dependent on the other.
This view could lead to ignoring the impact of external factors such as poverty or homophobia on the relationship.
To address these issues, some philosophers have proposed a hybrid model called "erotic care." Erotic care seeks to combine the benefits of radical impartiality with those of careful eros by recognizing the need for both passion and commitment in relationships. It encourages individuals to explore their own desires while also being attentive to the needs of their partners. A lesbian couple who practice erotic care may prioritize communication, trust, honesty, and mutual respect, which enables them to navigate challenges together.
The debate about whether eros and care can coexist without creating moral hierarchies remains complex and multifaceted. While there are no easy answers, exploring different perspectives and approaches can help us better understand how we experience and value love and intimacy in our lives.
Can lesbian ethics integrate eros and care without moral hierarchy?
Lesbian ethics is the study of how moral and ethical principles apply to issues that impact lesbians and other members of the LGBTQ+ community. One of the key debates within this field concerns the relationship between eros (love and desire) and care (responsibility and compassion). Some argue that these two values are inherently at odds with each other, leading to a moral hierarchy where one must be prioritized over the other.