Vulnerability is a key concept in traditional as well as contemporary bioethics and medical ethics (Ten Have 2015, 2016). Within this literature, the concept of vulnerability is mostly defined in relation to autonomy: vulnerability refers to conditions of impaired and/or diminished autonomy (Belmont Report 1979; CIOMS 1991, 1993, 2002; WMA 2000, 2008; Bracken-Roche et al. 2017). Historically, vulnerability has been associated with several categories of agents, amongst which the elderly are paramount. However, no clear and unique conceptualization of vulnerability, when referred to the ageing population, is currently present – especially in domains other than research ethics: some refer to physiological degradation as a defining tenet, some others appeal to autonomy impairment, some others point to loneliness and isolation (Kahana et al. 1995; Slaets 2006; Dodds 2007; Andrew et al. 2008: Sternberg et al. 2011; Clegg et
al. 2013). In light of these premises, and in order to fill in these gaps, the present research project aims to investigate and conceptualize the concept of vulnerability when referred to the ageing population. Moreover, as to the ever-increasing role of Emerging Technologies in the care of elderly, this research project aims also to explore if and to what extent emerging technologies devised for the elderly impacts on – and lead towards a reconfiguration of – traditional accounts of vulnerability.
al. 2013). In light of these premises, and in order to fill in these gaps, the present research project aims to investigate and conceptualize the concept of vulnerability when referred to the ageing population. Moreover, as to the ever-increasing role of Emerging Technologies in the care of elderly, this research project aims also to explore if and to what extent emerging technologies devised for the elderly impacts on – and lead towards a reconfiguration of – traditional accounts of vulnerability.