Hippocratic Oath

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n writing the oath, Hippocrates held new physicians to high ethical and social standards and dramatically changed the basic concepts of medicine. The various components of the oath are a reflection of Hippocrates’ desire to have society become moral and just. The oath reflects the daily life of Greek society at the time - encompassing unscrupulous and predatory individuals. By praising pagan gods, respect for family and elders, forbidding cutting, euthanasia and abortion, and giving value to the preservation of life, the various components of the Hippocratic Oath are a religious reflection of Hippocrates’ desire to change society through medicine to become moral, ethical, and just.
The Hippocratic Oath guided the actions of Hippocratic physicians, …show more content…

Hippocrates’ promise to treat his master the same as his parents indicates the value of an education at the time and the deference shown to those who provided it. The practice of medicine was passed down from a mentor and Hippocrates felt that this called for the mentee to honor and protect that person as a type of compensation and show of appreciation and respect. In time, this knowledge would be passed on to another person and would be a great honor for a mentor. Further, a doctor swearing to the oath would pass along any expertise they learn to other physicians, which shows commitment and collegiality. The doctors who swore the Hippocratic Oath were set apart from those who did not. These physicians vowed to preserve human life. By swearing to “use my power to help the sick to the best of my ability and judgment” shows that doctors thought long and hard about a diagnosis before treating a patient. By swearing to observe and not violate the oath, doctors believed that they would prosper in life and profession, “earning good repute among all men for my time”. This was to some extent a deal with the gods - one hand washes the other type of thing. People must have believed that if you are a good person, then you will reap the benefits from the gods. It is interesting to note that while the oath is sworn to the gods, at no point in the context does it mention gods as the cause or cure of any

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