This book deals with being grateful and with the moral status of gratitude. It claims that gratitude is a moral obligation of great importance, being the right response to something done for the agent and out of regard for her. The more is done for her, the more grateful she should be. And yet, it seems that whoever is doing something out of regard for us is expecting nothing in return. Gratitude thus becomes a paradoxical obligation: the recipient of the favor owes something to the giver, which the giver does not want. Sometimes the recipient does not want it either. He is attached to it unwillingly, trying to rid himself of it if he only could. Can he? And how are his attempts to do so connected to being ungrateful? This book analyses such cases, and juxtaposes them with cases of full and happy gratitude. I claim that children's gratitude towards their parents is the paradigm case of full gratitude. But how can children show their gratitude? What should they do? Can one really do enough to thank another for upbringing one and shaping her into who she is? This is a philosophical book, presenting and criticizing philosophical analyses of gratitude, from Seneca to Kant, and from Kant to modern thinkers. But among its heros you will also find Dickens's Pip of "Great Expectations," Rabi Hia, Rabi and a Koves (washer) from the Talmud, key figures of psychological and sociological thinking, Jean Valjean and Javert of Hugo's "Les Miserables," and a construction and development company selling shares at the stock exchange.

Peter Singer’s remarkably clear and comprehensive Practical Ethics has become a classic introduction to applied ethics since its publication in 1979 and has been translated into many languages. For this second edition the author has revised all the existing chapters, added two new ones, and updated the bibliography. He has also added an appendix describing some of the deep misunderstanding of and consequent violent reaction to the book in Germany, Austria and Switzerland where the book has tested the limits of freedom of speech. The focus of the book is the application of ethics to difficult and controversial social questions. • Revised and updated second edition • Written in a clear and accessible style tackles topical and controversial personal and social problems

The publication of Korot 2007–2008 has to our regret been seriously delayed. There has, however, already been considerable interest toward the next issues, and thus we trust that Volume 20 will appear within the annual timetable. The main part of this issue of Korot consists of research reports from a workshop on the subject “History as Argument in Biomedicine: Representations of National Socialist ‘Euthanasia’ Between Politics and Historiography, ca. 1945–2000.” This workshop was part of a research project in the context of the Coordinated Research Program “Cultures of Memory” (Sonderforschungsbereich “Erinnerungskulturen”) located at the University of Giessen, Germany. The meeting took place in Beit Hagath in Ein Karem, Jerusalem, on January 29th, 2007. Other themes presented in this volume include questions on the experimental method and on reproductive choices as seen in Talmudic literature, on medieval Jewish physicians in the Arabic cultural area, on Karaite physicians, and on the relationship between modern medicine and the Kabbala, ending with the early stages of the medical profession in Eretz Israel. They thus cover nearly 2,000 years of Jewish medical history. The volume is, as usual, bilingual (English and Hebrew), with contributions from Germany, France and Finland, in addition to Israel. Korot is unique as the only journal devoted to Jewish aspects of the history of medicine and science. To quote Prof. Leibowitz (z”l), one of the first initiators of Korot, the purpose of the publication is: ...preference for topics based on sources not readily accessible to our colleagues abroad in their researches. Avoiding, as far as possible, a narrow parochial approach, we hope to enlarge the knowledge of medical historical facts and concepts in a field often regarded as somewhat esoteric.1 It is our hope that the present volume of Korot has succeeded in this endeavor. Our special thanks are due to Dr. Kenneth Collins for his kind assistance in the proofreading stage. Our next issue will emphasize the subject of Jews and medicine in the Renaissance period, e.g., Tuviah Cohen and Yosef Shlomo Delmedigo. Our readers are warmly invited to submit articles connected with these subjects, but also any other historical essays related to Jewish aspects of the history of medicine and science, for publication. Letters to the editor and brief historical notes are also welcome. Helena Paavilainen Guest editor

The book Selected Issues in Business Ethics and Social Responsibility deals with a subject that is at the forefront of our economic and social agenda and presents the ethical credo of the author. It is unique in the sense that it comprises theoretical chapters, case studies that are based on the large business experience and the academic research of the author, and the analysis of masterpieces on business ethics. The parts of the book focus on the ethical facets of leadership, integrity, whistleblowers, corporate governance, stock market, banking, government and business, corruption and bribes, wrongdoing of stakeholders, trust, transparency, decency, sustainability, social responsibility, activism, environment, globalization, international aspects and business ethics in Israel. The combination of theoretical and empirical components and the analysis of works on business ethics, addressing the reason and the emotions as well, was proven as a successful mix that has assimilated the concepts of ethics by businessmen and students. The author maintains in his book that it is possible to succeed in business while keeping rigorous ethical standards in the complex business environment of today.

The book The Truth of Scientific Medicine tries to cope with one of the central problems of modern medicine: the quick pace in which the truths in the base of medicine practice are changed. Unstable truths are the reason for doubts and fears among many who practice medicine. Furthermore, they are one of the main reasons for the credibility crisis between doctor and patient.

"…This unique book has no equal … to date…I enjoyed its flowing style and its simple explanations and I would like to have this book in my library as it should be in the library of anyone who enjoys a treasure such as the Dead Sea" - Prof. Yehuda Shoenfeld The Dead Sea - the world's ultimate natural healing resort for diseases of the skin, joints, lungs, and heart, among others summarizes knowledge on the efficacy of the Dead Sea in the treatment of a broad range of diseases. It details the different diseases that can be treated successfully at the Dead Sea and describes, in simple terms that anyone can understand, the principles, mechanisms of action and advantages upon which the various treatments that are available at the health spas are based. Prof. Shaul Sukenik is a specialist in internal medicine and joint diseases. He has served as the head of Internal Medicine Department "D" of the Soroka University Medical Center since 1989 and was recently appointed as the head of the Division of Internal Medicine. Over the past 15 years Prof. Sukenik has conducted research on the Dead Sea as a unique health spa site for the treatment of joint diseases and has gained an international reputation in the field of balneotherapy and health tourism. He has published over 160 papers in the medical literature.

This book explains in simple and understandable words all the principles, mechanisms of action and advantages of all the treatment modalities at health resort areas. This book describes all the diseases that can be treated successfully at the Dead Sea. and is the first one that was written and directed for the general public.

Korot is devoted to the study of the philosophical, sociological and ethical aspects of the history of medicine and Judaism. The topics covered by the Journal include: medicine in Jewish and Hebrew sources, the history of Jewish physicians, medicine in Palestine and Israel and medicine during the Nazi period. Korot is published annually. Each volume contains mostly English-language articles, together with some Hebrew contributions (abstracted in English). The "Historical Notes" and "Notes and Events" sections cover recent important developments and events in the above mentioned topics around the world. Each issue also includes several reviews of noteworthy books and contributions to the field. Korot is sponsored by The Dr. Manuel & Helen Glazier Memorial Fund of The American Physicians Fellowship for Medicine in Israel, and the Center for Jewish Medical Heritage. Its editorial board comprises scholars from the USA, France, Germany, UK and Israel. Korot is the organ of the Israel Association of the History of Medicine, of the Harry Friedenwald Chair of the History of Medicine and of the M. Glazier Institute of the History of Medicine, Jerusalem. Its past editor was the late Professor Joshua O. Leibowitz and the present editor is Professor Samuel S. Kottek, M.D.

Ethical dilemmas faced by teachers and the need to evaluate them with critical tools were the starting point of this study, which is based on stories collected in hundreds of interviews with educators from different sectors of Israeli society. Teachers and school principals recount how complicated it is to express in their work a variety of values and commitments, with pressure coming from different directions. Many educators are unhappy with the results of their work, but nevertheless keep ethical dilemmas to themselves, without consulting anyone.

Scientific research, without a doubt, contributes to the advancement and well-being of society. Research is the meeting point between people of different interests - researchers, research institutions, financial backers, government offices and the general public. At this meeting point, various conflicts arise along with some difficult questions: Is every research suitable and permitted? Is it correct or is it necessary to include everyone in the research? And so on.... This book is challenging reading for both researchers and students at institutions of higher education and for all those who is involved in research to some extent.