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When a person becomes a doctor he receives enormous power - the power to save a human being's life or to take it away.
Doctors learn methods for understanding patients' illnesses.
They study about chemicals that can save or kill patients.
They learn about medical procedures, techniques and tools necessary for patients' healing.
It is customary for doctors to take a special oath when they graduate. This oath is a promise to keep a certain code of behavior and certain medical ethics.
One of the promises is to do whatever one can to save the patient's life.
Another is to remember that the doctor should not be arrogant and play G-d, because a doctor is only human and can make mistakes.
Therefore doctors should be willing to admit when they do not know something, and to ask other doctors for advice.
Hippocrates (460-370 BCE) was a Greek physician, considered the "father of western medicine". He believed that all diseases have a natural cause rather than a supernatural one.
He, together with a student, wrote the Hippocratic Oath:
The Hippoctatic Oath states the code of behavior for doctors.
It has been changes to fit modern times and technologies, but a form of it is still used toady.
The Hippocratic Oath includes the idea that saving life is one of the essential goal of a doctor, and doing the best for the patient is a doctor's duty.
Jewish doctors use the alternative oath written by Maimonides (The Rambam). Here is the Oath of Maimonides:
The eternal providence has appointed me to watch over the life and health of Thy creatures. May the love for my art actuate me at all time; may neither avarice nor miserliness, nor thirst for glory or for a great reputation engage my mind; for the enemies of truth and philanthropy could easily deceive me and make me forgetful of my lofty aim of doing good to Thy children.
May I never see in the patient anything but a fellow creature in pain.
Grant me the strength, time and opportunity always to correct what I have acquired, always to extend its domain; for knowledge is immense and the spirit of man can extend indefinitely to enrich itself daily with new requirements.
Today he can discover his errors of yesterday and tomorrow he can obtain a new light on what he thinks himself sure of today. Oh, God, Thou has appointed me to watch over the life and death of Thy creatures; here am I ready for my vocation and now I turn unto my calling.
Today, doctors may face ethical issues that are not included in the Hippocratic Oath (which was written about 2400 years ago).
1. Read the article "Hippocrates' Oath is Challenged"
2. State at least 5 ways, according to the above article, in which doctors may be confronted with a dilemma, while trying to imply the Hippocratic Oath. Supply each case with an explanation.
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