Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Altruism and mature care: some rival moral considerations in care ethics
Marit Helene Hem1, Kristin Halvorsen2, Per Nortvedt3
1University of Oslo, Norway m.h.hem@medisin.uio.no.
Introduction:
We discuss Carol Gilligan's original concept of mature care in the light of the altruistic approach to caring and good clinical judgment.
Discussion:
In particular, we highlight how the concept of mature care can capture important challenges in today's nursing. Further, we illuminate how mature care might differ normatively from an altruistic approach to caring and the traditional prudential virtues in nursing. We also discuss similarities between mature care and virtue ethics.
Conclusion:
For nursing and nurses' identity, in today's health care system that is increasingly pressured to 'produce' health, we believe it is important to both developing further theories on mature care and having normative discussions about care.
Related Concept Videos
Ethical Issues
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Altruism
Egoism and Altruism
Ethical Dilemmas I
Let us explore some examples to understand the potentially complex moral decisions nurses face.
Take the case of caring for minors, particularly in areas related to reproductive...
Professional Values
The values that are the foundation of the nursing profession are altruism, autonomy, human dignity, and social justice.
First, altruism refers to the concern for the welfare and well-being of others without personal...
Nursing Ethical Principles I
Autonomy
Autonomy underscores the significance of a patient's self-determination and freedom from external control. In healthcare, respecting...
