Biomedical subjects
G E Pence
Publications and source records attributed to G E Pence.
Medicine, the media, and bioethics.
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A piece of my mind. On the road.
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Do not go slowly into that dark night: mercy killing in Holland.
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Can compassion be taught?
Socrates (in the Meno) denied that virtues like courage could be taught, whereas Protagoras defended this claim. Compassion is discussed below in this context; it is distinguished from related, but different, moral qualities, and the role of imagination is emphasised. 'Sympathy's and role-modelling views of compassion's acquisition are criticised. Compassion can indeed be taught, but neither by the example of a few, isolated physicians nor by creation of Departments of Compassion. In replying to one standard objection to teaching compassion, it is emphasised that scientific competence and compassion aren't mutually exclusive.