The Abstract Other: Exploring the Care Ethical Potential of Contextualized Abstraction

Abstract This article redefines the role of abstraction in care ethics, overturning the notion that abstraction is inherently an impersonal and distancing mechanism. By situating abstraction within the context of caring relationships it reveals how abstraction can cultivate human connection when grounded in moral motivation and contextual sensitivity. The article’s primary contribution is the introduction of two concepts: conceptual abstraction, which captures the shift from detailed specificity to broader generalizations, and contextual abstraction, which examines how abstraction either fosters closeness or creates distance in relationships. While the discussion initially focuses on the level of deliberation, the article concludes by exploring if and how abstraction can also be meaningfully employed at the level of justification.