The Hippocratic Oath is a file that acts as a basis for medical ethics and includes modern and classical versions. Classical version necessitates doctors to keep from harm and harmful practices such as abortion and euthanasia. For instance, it requires doctors to promote confidentiality and refrain from behaviors such as sexual relations with patients (Miles, 2015). The modern version emphasizes the need to maintain good health and adhere to patients mind and soul. Practices such as euthanasia and abortion are allowed in the modern version. It requires doctors to focus on sound treatment, compassion, caring, humility, and acknowledgment. Freedom and responsibility are restricted in the classical version to patients and doctors respectively.
In classical version, freedom and responsibility have been extended. Moreover, the classical version prevents doctors from doing surgery. Also, religion is incorpora
...ted in the classical version (Edelstein, 2010). However, the modern version incorporates science and does not constitute of any religion. The context of the writing of classical oath refers to doctors ‘him" while modern version used "I" to refer to the doctor. Despite the differences, the two versions are the foundation for medical ethics.
Changes on Hippocratic Oath
Changes that occurred included altering the language of the oath. The phrases were modified to ensure that they had no religious connotation by using words like “I vow” instead of “I swear”. The change was good because it made the oath to have a positive note that does not threaten retribution of the doctors (Edelstein, 2010). Also, changes included making the oath to endorse a sacred trust between patients and doctors, requiring doctors to utilize their powers wisely. The change is beneficial as patients develop trust wit
doctors and can share their problems without any fear of privacy violation. Moreover, changes show extension of freedom provided to patients and the responsibilities assigned to doctors. The change is important as it ensures that medical practice is exercised according to the patient’s requirements. The oath changed to ensure that it can the modern world. Also, the intermingling and freedoms of diverse cultures necessitated the change of oath.
Application to abortion
The application of the two versions of the Hippocratic Oath to abortion issue has diverse views. Classical version does not allow abortion to be performed. It denies doctors from doing euthanasia or performs an abortion because they do not meet the society and religious standards. Classical version demands for respect of life and hence hinder abortion (Miles, 2015). The modern version grants doctors the mandate to perform abortions. The version gives patients a wide freedom and requires doctors to respect their minds and souls. Based on my arguments, the practice of abortion infringes classical version since it shows disrespect to human life.
Relation to ethical theory
On relating the two versions of the oath to normative theory, the result is that the classic version correlates with the theory. Classical version weighs if a practice is desirable or bad before implementing it (Edelstein, 2010). Normative theory includes hypothesis related to things that are just or unjust, right and wrong in the society. The Classical theory does not allow practices such as abortion and respects the human life. Human life is important, and the society demands people not to indulge in practices that risk human life. The modern version does not correlate with the normative theory since its practices follow
the mind and soul of human being. In summary, the normative theory and the classical version match in diverse ways.
References
- Edelstein, L. (2010). The Hippocratic Oath: Text; Translation, and Interpretation. Cross-cultural perspectives in medical ethics. Jones & Bartlett, Boston, 3-21.
- Miles, S. H. (2015). The Hippocratic oath and the ethics of medicine. Oxford University Press.
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