The place of prudence in medical decision making

In the world of practical affairs in general, no less than in the matter of medicalethical decision making, there is place for the possession of the classical virtue of prudence. Most persons involved in making such decisions are interested exclusively in solving a case, and ignore the importance of growing in virtue and character at the same time while having their decision reflect prudential reasoning. A study of the virtue of prudence shows that it is a much misunderstood virtue, and requires deeper penetration into its meaning to grasp its place in humanizing medical decisions.