Rotterdam, Netherlands, 25-28 AUGUST 2026
This conference is organized by the European Society for Philosophy of Medicine and Healthcare, and the Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Medical Centre and Erasmus School of Philosophy, Rotterdam.
Technological innovations have continuously reshaped medicine—not only transforming clinical practices but also challenging and reformulating the moral values, norms, and knowledge frameworks that underpin healthcare. From the invention of the stethoscope to the rise of artificial intelligence, from the upheavals of world wars to the global COVID-19 pandemic, every crisis and breakthrough prompts fundamental questions: What do we prioritise in medicine? What counts as valid evidence? What does it mean for care to be ‘good’? Breakthroughs in biotechnology, today’s digital revolution, global conflicts and environmental crises all demand fresh, critical reflection. To grasp the present, we must situate it within a broader historical and social context, examining how healthcare evolves at the crossroads of societal change and technological innovation. This conference invites contributions that critically explore how technological and social transformations shape the moral and epistemic landscape of healthcare. We welcome historical case studies, philosophical analyses, empirical research, and theoretical explorations that illuminate these dynamics. Abstracts may address – but are not limited to – the topics below.
Main Topics of the Upcoming ConferenceAnyone wishing to present a paper at the conference should submit an abstract in Word format (500 words maximum) before March 1, 2026. The Conference Programme Committee will select abstracts for oral presentation. Please send abstracts by e-mail to Professor Bert Gordijn, Secretary of the espmh, Institute of Ethics, Dublin City University, Ireland: