Google It

Not too long ago, I had a conversation with a doctor working with medical students in their residency. He expressed that it was challenging to teach them because they seemingly knew all the answers from Google. While they may have plenty of medical knowledge, his concern was more about the human formation: the ability to empathize with the family and, most importantly, the patient. What the residents seemed to lack was docility, that is­, a willingness to be taught. 

Reflecting upon the conversation, I wonder: Can “googling it” replace the beautiful and necessary virtue of docility? It is a foundational virtue for character development; it enables one to collaborate and receive feedback. The docile person is flexible, open to suggestions, and willing to listen. This interior disposition is cultivated by listening, receiving feedback, and growing in maturity – and none of this happens by googling it.