Abstract
In philosophy, intelligence is less important than character, or so Wittgenstein once argued. In this paper, in a similar vein, I suggest that in health care ethics consultation character is of preeminent importance. I suggest that the activity of ethics consultation can be understood as "training in virtue," and what distinguishes the good health care ethics consultant from his/her average colleague are differences in traits of character. The underlying assumption is that one's use of knowledge and abilities are ultimately a function of who one is and how one perceives and confronts situations of moral uncertainty and conflict. In discussing the original case presented by Mark Bliton, I focus on the virtues of wisdom, justice, courage, compassion and humility.
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Baylis, F. Health Care Ethics Consultation: 'Training in Virtue'. Human Studies 22, 25–41 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005456601398
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005456601398