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Carolyn Ross

Although the Hippocratic Oath is not as widely used today, its ideals can still be
seen in the modern western medical world, which shows the parallels and similarities
between the ancient Greek world and the modern day society. By observing the modern
world, we can learn a lot about the ancient Greeks and where our medical traditions
stem from. There are now modern versions of the oath that have been altered in order
to coincide with current society principles, nonetheless, many of the central values still
remain. After analyzing the oath closely it is clear that it is heavily influenced by the
values of the ancient Greek people and their culture at that time.
One value that was essential to Hippocrates and his followers was religion,
which was often tied to having good morals. At the time the oath came about, the
ancient Greeks believed that the gods would intervene, which to them, was an awful
fate. The Greeks made sacrifices to the Gods, erected temples in their name, and
talked about them in their day to day life. This value of religion influenced the oath by
basing it all around having good personal principles and doing what is in the best
interest of the patient. This oath still holds sway in modern times, however, our society
as a whole is not centered on religion. Additionally, the consequences for violating the
oath for malpractice include fines, lawsuits, and termination. Although the modern
versions of the oath are not based on a polytheistic belief, the value of having good
morals is still ever present in both today and the ancient Greek society.
The doctor/patient confidentiality laws of our country also has parallels to what is
seen in the Hippocratic Oath in that both focus on the importance of integrity. The

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specific line being Whatever I see or hear in the lives of my patients, whether in
connection with my professional practice or not, which ought not to be spoken of
outside, I will keep secret, as considering all such things to be private (The Oath of
Hippocrates). Much like the sentiment in this line, American doctors cannot hand out
patient information with impunity, as this would violate their integrity. All information in a
patient's file is held sacred by the hospital. One major law based off of confidentiality
and integrity is the HIPAA law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Privacy Rule. The HIPAA Privacy Rule is based off of the Hippocratic Oath in that the
physicians are required to keep the patients information confidential, lest they violate
their integrity and virtue.
An additional value of the Greeks which is expressed in the Hippocratic Oath is
the value of family. Family and fertility were key components to their lives and the
growth of their society. Regarding fertility, Greeks did not believe in any practice that
might impair reproduction. This is why the oath did not permit Greek doctors from
performing an abortion, as it could permanently harm the mother from having kids or
could kill her altogether. As explained by the oath, doctors were not supposed to give
abortions or perform euthanasia as they were only supposed to heal and protect life, not
take it. The oath also explains that doctors should not perform actions in which they are
not trained, as in only surgeons should perform surgeries (The Oath of Hippocrates).
These values of family and the preservation of life are still around today, and some of
the most controversial topics in the United States are abortion and euthanasia.
Stemming from these two issues is what the doctors should do, as they are supposed to

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heal, not hurt, but at the same time they are supposed to alleviate the pain of the
patient.
The Hellenic period brought about the Hippocratic medical tradition which
inspired the creation of the Hippocratic Oath. The Oath, at the time, was compulsory for
physicians and held them to a set of ethical standards, which are still seen today. The
oath was heavily based upon the Greek religion of polytheism, and this value of religion
explained to the doctors that they should have honorable morals and should always
prioritize the patient. The original Hippocratic Oath valued integrity and patient
confidentiality in order to respect the privacy of the patient. The Greek principle of family
and the preservation of life also led to the rule against abortion and euthanasia found in
the oath. Ancient Greek morals heavily influenced the Hippocratic Oath, and as a result
have ultimately impacted modern day medicine. Time passing often leads many
traditions to become outdated and forgotten, however, the Hippocratic Oath and its
values are still ever present in todays society.

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Works Cited
The Oath of Hippocrates, Hippocratic Writings. Translated by J Chadwick and WN
Mann, Penguin Books, 1950.