title: [Justice--the most demanding of virtues].
abstract: The doctor has a personal relationship with his patient, while at the same time being authorized to manage the resources allocated to health and social services. This is a demanding position and it is difficult to act justly. A patient with whom the doctor does not easily identify may risk becoming a victim of injustice. The doctor may himself be subject to unjustices. Many people think that doctors earn too much money, and it is getting more common that doctors fear sanctions or the role of scapegoat. Having a good education implies a strong position in our society, because rational argumentation is widely accepted as the more valuable in discussions. Thus, those who know how to argue rationally have important influence on the definition of justice. This is paradoxical, as those who have been treated unjustly will tend to argue emotionally. Emotions are a prerequisite for the concept of justice. Therefore, empathy is an important ability that doctors should use in order to contribute to justice. This is illustrated by four examples; which patients should be given priority, should we treat self-induced disease, how much money should doctors earn, and what sanctions should be imposed when fatal medical errors occur?
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gulbrandsen
mesh_terms: D004644:Emotions; D004645:Empathy; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006292:Health Priorities; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice; D019300:Medical Errors; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012935:Social Justice