title: Compassion.
abstract: The term 'compassion' has been much used and little discussed. I argue that compassion is a virtue in the Aristotelian sense, one of a family of other-regarding properties and belongs to the affective qualities of a moral agent. Its exercise is an essential component of good medical care in many situations and requires grounding in moral principles. Although our dispositions vary, compassion is a quality that can be developed in all of us.
authors.affiliation: College of Health and Human Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK; chair (2004-14), committee for ethical issues in medicine, Royal College of Physicians, London, UK; consultant physician, Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, UK john.saunders3@wales.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saunders
mesh_terms: D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D005791:Patient Care; D028722:Virtues
keywords: Compassion; care; etiquette; virtue
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