<P> The ethics of care (alternatively care ethics or EoC) is a normative ethical theory that holds interpersonal relationships and care or benevolence as a virtue as central to moral action . It is one of a cluster of normative ethical theories that were developed by feminists in the second half of the twentieth century . While consequentialist and deontological ethical theories emphasize universal standards and impartiality, ethics of care emphasize the importance of response . The shift in moral perspective is manifested by a change in the moral question from "what is just?" to "how to respond?". Ethics of care criticize application of universal standards as "morally problematic, since it breeds moral blindness or indifference ." </P> <P> Some beliefs of the theory are basic: </P>

What relationship plays a central role in the ethics of care