What is Caritas

Individuals have responded with a variety of responses to crises such as war, natural disasters, famine, and pandemics. These are times when people have pulled together to overcome these challenges, or sometimes have divided themselves ideologically, politically, and behaviorally. This chapter addresses some of those characteristics within the United States affecting national and global relationships in the 21st century. The authors support the perception that there is a need for behavioral and cultural change—caring. Specifically, the authors propose an alternative paradigm: the development and sustainability of a “culture of care” as an interdisciplinary approach for national behaviors and international collaboration. The work of two American scholars, Nel Noddings and Jean Watson, center on the importance of the philosophy of care, caring theory, and practice in education and nursing. Going forward to more international crises such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and poverty and hunger, the authors look to a more equitable and collaborative means to address these problems.