End-of-Course Reflection: Rethinking Morality Through Connection, Care, and Fairness

This course changed the way I think about what it means to be moral. I used to think morality was just about following rules. Now, I see it more like a web of relationships and responsibilities. Three ideas that really helped me see this were Ubuntu, the Ethics of Care, and Contractarianism. Reading philosophy and science fiction stories made these ideas easier to understand and more meaningful.

Ubuntu and “The Little Black Box”

Before this class, I had heard of Ubuntu as an African idea about togetherness, but I did not know it had deeper meaning. Now I understand that Ubuntu means we are who we are because of other people. It’s not just about being nice; it is about recognizing that we become fully human through our relationships.

In the story “The Little Black Box” by Philip K. Dick, I saw this clearly. In that world, people connect through a shared experience called Mercerism. It helps them feel each other’s pain and hope. This kind of connection scares those in power, because it brings people together in a way that can’t be controlled.

I came to understand that real freedom is not about being separate from others; it’s about being seen, valued, and connected to them. I want to help create spaces where mutual care and respect are not just extras, but the starting point.

Ethics of Care and “Mother of Invention”

The Ethics of Care showed me that morality isn’t just about following the same rules for everyone; it’s also about understanding each person’s situation. I used to think caring for others was just emotional, maybe even a little weak. Now I see it as strong and very important.

In “Mother of Invention” by Nnedi Okorafor, a woman and an AI (smart house) take care of each other during a hard time. Their relationship shows how care, even between very different beings, can be deeply moral. It’s not about power; it is about listening and helping.

I now believe that care isn’t something we use only when fairness fails; it is a kind of justice. Acts of compassion, support, and emotional effort deserve just as much respect as logic or rules.

Contractarianism and “The Evening and the Morning and the Night”

Contractarianism is the idea that morality comes from fair agreements between people. At first, I liked how clear that sounded. But then I read “The Evening and the Morning and the Night” by Octavia Butler, and it made me think harder.

In the story, people with a certain illness are treated badly just because of their condition. They don’t get a say in the rules that affect them. This made me ask: who really gets to help make these “fair” agreements? And who gets left out?

Even though fairness is important, I realized we must keep asking whose voices are included when rules are made. A system that intentionally excludes some people can’t truly be fair.

Final Thoughts

Each of these ideas changed how I see morality in different ways. Ubuntu taught me that community isn’t just a part of ethics; it is where ethics begins. The Ethics of Care showed me that being vulnerable and showing compassion aren’t weaknesses, but powerful moral strengths. Contractarianism helped me question what we call “fair” and made me think more deeply about whose voices are heard and whose are left out. These ideas didn’t replace what I believed before; they added new layers. Now, I believe being ethical means being fully present with others, especially those who are often overlooked or left out.

References: 

Butler, O. E. (1991). The evening and the morning and the night. In Bloodchild and other stories (pp. 53–75). Four Walls Eight Windows.

Dick, P. K. (1964). The little black box. In The magazine of fantasy and science fiction (August 1964 issue). Mercury Press.

Okorafor, N. (2018). Mother of invention. In B. Datlow (Ed.), A study in emerald (pp. 233–250). Titan Books.

Rawls, J. (1971). A theory of justice. Harvard University Press.

Gilligan, C. (1982). In a different voice: Psychological theory and women’s development. Harvard University Press.

Metz, T. (2007). Ubuntu as a moral theory: Reply to four critics. South African Journal of Philosophy, 26(4), 369–387.