This paper presents a theoretical underpinning of a discourse ethics of care, as used in a study that examined the moral conflicts in assisting people living with HIV/Aids. Based on deliberative Bioethics, it defines moral conflict as a conflict of duties. It used discourse ethics and the propositions of care assuming that health work is highly relational and communicational. It concludes that discourse ethics of care recognizes rationality in decisions that involve moral issues in everyday care. The search for conflict resolution, in this perspective, suggests a dialectical process in which the reasons for the arguments are considered. The action of evidencing different arguments, including those that are contradictory, but defensible, enables prudent decision making.
Health work; Aids; Bioethics; Care; Discourse ethics