While we might associate ‘the unconscious’ with repression and the psychodynamic theories of Freud, 1 it has a more general sense and application that mean it is an important concept for contemporary ethics. Paying attention to the significance of associations, beliefs, presumptions and emotions that we have, but are not consciously attending to, is important for a more nuanced understanding of autonomy. Unconscious bias is an important issue for health education and clinical ethics, while beliefs and desires that are not (...) yet fully formed can be very important issues in therapy with younger people. The _Journal of Medical Ethics_ has published a number of papers over recent years that discuss the ways we frame clinical interactions and make decisions in the light of the unconscious. The recognition that we all have implicit, or unconscious biases should be acknowledged in health education and learning opportunities for addressing it created.... (shrink)