TY - JOUR T1 - Can compassion be taught? JF - Journal of Medical Ethics JO - J Med Ethics SP - 189 LP - 191 DO - 10.1136/jme.9.4.189 VL - 9 IS - 4 AU - G E Pence Y1 - 1983/12/01 UR - http://jme.bmj.com/content/9/4/189.abstract N2 - 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. ER -