Abstract:Medicine is explicitly committed to the traditional values of empathy, compassion, and altruism. Along with the "middle" principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and respect for autonomy, these are among the values which form the ethical framework by which physician conduct is evaluated. But how is empathy to be understood as fundamental to the practice of ethical medicine? Should it be construed as a moral obligation? In this paper, I argue that empathy in the treatment of patients should not be upheld as a moral requirement for the practice of "good" medicine: such a construal of the role of empathy in professionalism cannot be supported by the substantive theories of utilitarianism, deontology, feminist ethics, or virtue ethics. Moreover, empirical research into the nature of empathy shows it to be a trait that varies substantially between individuals and that variation is governed to a notable degree by factors beyond the individual's control.

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Professional news ISG*ISARC2912 and its General AssemblyWho is afraid of ageing? The ISG*ISARC2012 World Congress on Gerontechnology in Eindhoven, Netherlands of June 2012 was tasked with debating this interesting question. The conference provided an opportunity to bring together both academics and non-academics to discuss the methods and means for how we address this question in the context of a globally ageing population. The conference attracted participants from countries across the world (Asia, the Americas, Europe, Oceania), belonging to various disciplines such as health and well-being, ageing, psychology, sociology, computing, robotics and engineering, and professions (including engineering and health care delivery). Participants shared research and exchanged ideas with non-academics including engineers, medical doctors, nurses, policy makers, financial experts, social workers, pharmacy industrialists, students and even ... artists and older citizens. This made for a heady mix of knowledge and expertise and contributed to a lively discussion advancing our thinking of how best to support older people within their settings and contexts. Conventional oral presentations were delivered through short power point presentations which remained the most efficient way to present core ideas. Moderated poster sessions also represented a popular method of dissemination for tailoring research to the different groups in the audience. Alongside traditional methods of presenting, the conference embraced different approaches including innovative and highly engaging live demonstrations in robotics. New media was also embraced with the use of video based dissemination, a special Gerontechnoplatform which provided new ways to engage participants, as well as a specially designed app for the smart phone of the participants. The conference was supported by social events to facilitate additional opportunities for contacts, networking and knowledge exchange. From construction technology to the occupational robot, from telemedicine to actimetry, from platform organisations to complex business models, from care to cure and cure to care, from leisure to occupation, from working assistance to social inclusion, all innovative issues were actively debated in Eindhoven. Here, technology was in the right place, as a powerful new tool for services and human development, activities and care, and as supports for assisting older disabled persons and towards promoting active and healthy ageing. At the end, we are not sure that all participants could go home with a specific answer to some of the interesting questions raised, especially those concerning the diverse financial models needed to support technology uptake. But all the key ingredients were there to