Niklas Ellerich-Groppe¹, Florian Funer², Christin Hempeler³, Anna Hirsch⁴, Jonas Karneboge⁵, Nele Röttger⁶

¹ Division of Medical Ethics, Department of Health Services Research, University of Oldenburg

² Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Institute for Ethics and History of Medicine

³ Institute for the History and Ethics of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg,

⁴ Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Institute for Ethics, History and Theory of Medicine

⁵ University of Siegen, Professorship for Psychological Ageing Research

⁶ Bielefeld University, School of History, Philosophy and Theology and OWL School of Medicine, Working Group on the History and Philosophy of Medicine

The so-called ‘turning point’ in German politics in the wake of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine is merely one particularly striking example of the recent political, social and societal upheavals facing not only medicine and healthcare but also medical ethics. Similarly, other global developments can be observed, such as the crisis of liberal democracies – as is particularly evident in the USA – or the far-reaching changes in the (digital) public sphere, which also pose challenges for medical ethics as a subject.

Although initial attempts to take these changed circumstances into account are becoming apparent in academic discourse (see, for example, Schicktanz 2025), the conceptual, practical and professional challenges for medical ethics in turbulent times have so far been addressed only tentatively. For example, the adaptation of medical ethics concepts for timeless and collective application, as well as reflection on healthcare in the face of war or dramatic changes in (social) political conditions, deserve in-depth consideration. The same applies, for instance, to the public presence of medical ethics in increasingly polarised discursive landscapes.

For early-career researchers in particular, who are confronted with specific questions of self-positioning, such turbulent times present both opportunities and challenges: On the one hand, there is the opportunity to have a lasting impact on the development of the subject itself; on the other hand, finding one’s bearings in a situation of constant change can be particularly challenging.

The satellite workshop organised by the Young Medical Ethics Network addresses this issue and aims to examine the role of medical ethics as a profession in the face of fundamental social changes and upheavals, particularly from the perspective of early-career researchers.

To this end, the workshop will first address, in general terms, the challenges posed by these turning points for medical ethics. Following a keynote presentation, participants will develop a nuanced understanding of the professional implications of these upheavals through a round-table discussion. Using three case studies – the crisis of liberal democracies (using the USA as an example), the significance of war for medical ethics, and the transformation of the (digital) public sphere – individual, institutional, structural and political implications for medical ethics in this era of transition will be identified and discussed. Each case study will be explored together with the participants through a short video presentation by relevant experts in the field, a case description and further discussion questions. Particular attention will be paid to the questions arising from these developments regarding the professional ethical standards of medical ethics.

This is followed by a second, self-reflective section. Here, the insights gained are translated into a structured writing process, within the framework of which a position paper is drafted. This position paper aims to set out how, in the face of these turning points, medical ethics can define itself as a profession that, guided by a clear professional ethical compass, fulfils its scientific aspirations, its social mandate, its political responsibility and the plurality of differing viewpoints amongst medical ethicists, and can thus offer guidance in current social processes to both early-career researchers and the wider audience of medical ethics.

Timetable:

Reference:

Schicktanz, Silke (2025): Medical ethics in times of challenging political developments. Ethics in Medicine 37:1–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00481-025-00846-9