title: Can compassion be taught?
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D004501:Education, Medical; D004645:Empathy; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D012945:Social Values; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013663:Teaching