The Virtuous Physician

EdmundEdmund PellegrinoPellegrino (1920–2013), a physician-philosopherPhilosophers of our age, coined the term. It is such an exciting term that we need to explore it further, particularly as we have just witnessed unending practical examples of virtuousVirtuous health workers in the pandemic. A virtuousVirtuous physician is a thorough professional observing all the guiding principles of professionalism. He is also a person mindful of his duties and obligations and fulfils them to the highest standards based on training and intellect. He also fully understands the conceptConcepts of Utilitarianism maximising benefits to the larger sections of the populationPopulation particularly when the resources are limited as we witnessed during the early days of the COVID-19Covid crisisCrisis. He also observes his code of ethicsEthics and makes his decisions based on scientificScientific reasoning, and practical wisdom rather than emotionalism. So, he observes Deontology, ConsequentialismConsequentialism, and other normative principles of bioethicsBioethics. But he goes above and beyond all these attributes and applies his knowledge and skills through courageCourage, compassion, practical wisdom, and justice. These are the PlatonicPlatonic virtues duly expanded by AristotleAristotle and revived by later-day philosophersPhilosophers such as MacintyreMacintyre, A.. The virtuousVirtuous physician is fundamentally a good human being with a strong character, possessing the built-in attributes of reaching out to the needy, naturally, instinctively, repetitively, and above and beyond the call of duty. He serves to earn nothing but EudaimoniaEudaimonia.