Final answer:
The moral ideal of nursing according to Leininger and Watson is caring, which aligns with the fundamental values of feminist care ethics discussed by Nel Noddings and Carol Gilligan. In care ethics, caring relationships and individual situations are central to ethical decision-making and moral reasoning, contrasting with the abstract rules of traditional ethics.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Leininger and Watson, the moral ideal of nursing is caring. This concept is deeply rooted in feminist care ethics, which positions the values of caring at the central point of moral deliberation and decision-making. Care ethics, championed by philosophers like Nel Noddings and Carol Gilligan, contrasts with traditional ethics by emphasizing caring relationships and the importance of considering unique, concrete situations in moral reasoning. This approach regards interpersonal relationships and the interests of individuals as fundamental, moving away from the application of abstract rules and principles typically found in traditional ethics.
Gilligan highlighted the relevance of care ethics in providing a moral framework that acknowledges the importance of emotions, relational contexts, and moral depth especially seen in women and children in contrast to the conventional 'ethics of justice' predominantly centered on male-centric moral development. Noddings' influential work on the topic stresses the significance of partiality and the bearing of situational and relational factors in ethical consideration.
Therefore, within nursing as a profession, the embodiment of compassion, empathy, and responsibility align with the central values of care ethics, placing the well-being and interests of the patient at the forefront of nursing practice. Through the lens of feminist care ethics, caring becomes not just an action but a moral standpoint integral to the practice of nursing.