In economic and fame pursuit for success, some have abandoned the Oath totally. Just how important or honorable is this Hippocratic Oath after all - classically or using the modern version?
It depends on our audience. Amongst other economists, I think we have the freedom to experiment with the aim of advancing the science. But with non-economists we must be very careful. Especially when we are serving as experts.
The following is a modern version of the Hippocratic Oath in the field of medicine:
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.
I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.
I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.
I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.
I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.
I think that this kind of oath in the medical field is still valid and all medical doctros should respect this oath or something similar.
In other fields of science, ethical rules and codes of practice should be adopted in order to govern the behavior of professionals in any specific field.
now there is wide gap between what is said and what is done. Ethics and morality seem to be missing. when people take oaths without any concern for observing these it becomes a tool to be-fool people. monetary manipulation is the worst fraud destroying not only ethics and morality but humanity itself.
Thanks all,
The reason why I bring up this question is that I have seen the Oath being breached freely at the ED in public hospitals especially. Even at DIM and surgical wards, consultants and even his / her protégés - the House Officers, seem to ignore the Oath "to do good" and "do no harm". Their victims are always those who are elderly, living alone, poor, needy and on social funds.
That is why I queried whether is it relevant at all to abuse this Oath even to those who really are medically in-need than to see their Social Economic Status (SES) as the barometer to apply the Oath aptly.
Regards - Mariam
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