Creating a Caring Union : Examining the possibilities, and advantages, of replacing the ethics of justice with the ethics of care as the moral framework of the European Union

The aim of this thesis was to examine if the ethics of care could replace the ethics of justice, and what the advantages of replacing it would be. To determine if the replacement could be successful, the European Union (EU) goals was used as a measurement. The EU could, by replacing the ethics of justice with ethics of care, successfully reach its goals. By redefining the values and adjust the approach towards the goals according to the ethics of justice, the EU goals could be achieved. To examine the issue a qualitative approach was chosen and, due to theoretical reasons, a postpositivist and normative method were applied. Firstly, the redefinition of the values presented, and secondly the approach towards the goals. Based on the empirical findings the advantages were discussed. The results shows that the EU could achieve its goals with the ethics of care as a moral framework, and that the EU should consider the ethics of care. A caring ethics would allow them to prioritize the well-being of inhabitants rather than the growth and competitiveness of the market. Moreover, basing the work on caring qualities instead of on universal values would make the European identity less exclusive and invite people of all population groups into the community. A feminist ethics allows the Union to care, not only about working life, but for people in all spheres, making people trust the EU when they are vulnerable.