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| − | The '''Oath of Hippocrates''' or '''Hippocratic Oath''' is an oath traditionally taken by doctors setting down certain guidelines about how they will use their medical skills. The oath dates back to ancient Greece but it is uncertain if it is actually due to [[Hippocrates]]. Taking the oath is not a requirement to practice medicine, and has no legal status. | + | [[File:Hippocrate refusant les présents d'Artaxerxès (original).JPG|thumbnail|thumbnail|300px|right|The above painting depicts the apocryphal story of [[Hippocrates]] refusing the presents of the Achaemenid Emperor Artaxerxes, who was asking for his services. Painted by Girodet, 1792]] |
| | + | The '''Oath of Hippocrates''' or '''Hippocratic Oath''' is an [[oath]] traditionally taken by [[doctor]]s setting down certain guidelines about how they will use their [[medical]] skills. The oath dates back to ancient [[Greece]] but it is uncertain if it is actually due to [[Hippocrates]]. Taking the oath is not a requirement to practice medicine, and has no legal status. |
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| | == Translation of the Classical Oath == | | == Translation of the Classical Oath == |
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| | ==Criticism of the oath== | | ==Criticism of the oath== |
| − | The oath requires a doctor to swear on the names of [[Apollo (mythology)|Apollo]], [[Æsculapius]], and all the "gods" and "goddesses" of the [[Pagan]] Greek pantheon. Since this oath contradicts fundamental Christian principles by requiring a Christian to swear by Pagan gods, devout Christian doctors may refuse to take this oath. | + | The oath requires a doctor to swear on the names of [[Apollo (mythology)|Apollo]], [[Æsculapius]], and all the "gods" and "goddesses" of the [[Pagan]] Greek pantheon. Since this oath contradicts fundamental [[Christian]] principles by requiring a Christian to swear by [[Pagan]] [[deities|gods]], devout Christian doctors may refuse to take this oath. |
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| | == The Oath in Modern Times == | | == The Oath in Modern Times == |
| | + | Due to pressure from [[abortionists]] and promoters of [[abortion]], [[euthanasia]] and [[assisted suicide]], many medical schools now drop the prohibition on abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide from "modernized" versions of the Oath.<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19970328/ai_n14096334</ref><ref>https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_today.html</ref><ref>http://www.cmdahome.org/index.cgi?CONTEXT=art&art=313&cat=100102</ref> |
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| − | Due to pressure from [[abortionists]] and promoters of [[abortion]], many medical schools now drop the prohibition on abortion and [[euthanasia]] from "modernized" versions of the Oath.<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19970328/ai_n14096334</ref><ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_today.html</ref><ref>http://www.cmdahome.org/index.cgi?CONTEXT=art&art=313&cat=100102</ref>
| + | ==See also== |
| | + | * Hippocratic Oath and [[Oath of the Hindu Physician]] |
| | + | * [[Bioethics]]: [[Ethics]] and [[Morality]] |
| | + | * [[Pacifism]] |
| | + | * [[Nonviolence]] |
| | + | * [[Ahimsa]] [[Dharma]] |
| | + | * [[Five Precepts]] and [[Ten Commandments]] - "Thou Shalt Not Kill" |
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| − | ==Notes== | + | == References == |
| | {{reflist}} | | {{reflist}} |
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| | + | == External links == |
| | + | *[http://www.aapsonline.org/ethics/oaths.htm Hippocratic oath and other physician oaths] |
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| | [[Category:Medicine]] | | [[Category:Medicine]] |
| | + | [[Category:Ethics]] |
| | + | [[Category:Morality]] |
| | + | [[Category:Buddhism]] |
| | + | [[Category:Hinduism]] |
| | + | [[Category:Religion]] |
| | + | [[Category:Non-violence]] |
| | + | [[Category:Oaths]] |
| | [[Category:Abortion]] | | [[Category:Abortion]] |
| | + | [[Category:Greece]] |
| | + | [[Category:Pro-life works]] |