Final answer:
The quote implies that a physician should reflect truth to patients, posing an ethical dilemma regarding honesty in medicine. Act Utilitarianism may support lying for greater immediate happiness, while Rule Utilitarianism promotes consistent truth-telling for long-term trust.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote suggests that a doctor should act as a mirror to their patients, reflecting only the truth of what is presented to them. This raises the ethical question of whether truth-telling and honesty are always beneficial in the medical context. It ties into the debate between Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism regarding the consequences of truth-telling. Act Utilitarianism might advocate for withholding the truth if it leads to a greater balance of happiness over pain in particular situations. However, Rule Utilitarianism would argue for consistent truth-telling to maintain trust and effective therapeutic relationships in the long term.
The importance of honesty in medicine is further supported by various ethical positions and philosophical quotes that emphasize truth and self-knowledge as fundamental values.