Hippocratic tradition and ethical foundations applicable to the life terminality

Abstract

Occidental medicine has its origins in ancient Greece, when mythical thoughts and supernatural and empirical medical practice gave place to ideas which favored the development of the pre-technical era of medicine – tékhn? iatrik? – based on observations of nature. Tékhn? iatrik? understands the illness and the sick as constitutive parts of nature, driven by universal laws and preconceived rules, and, as a consequence, no irrational means should be used to surpass them. The technical rationality dominant in current medicine has departed contemporary medical practice from the Hippocratic art, and advances in science and technology allow conditions of maintenance of life that bring ethical dilemmas in terminal patients, not considering human dignity. Hippocratic ethics, based on the respect for natural laws and the human being is an important instrument that, allied to culture, to technique and to art allow doctors to practice medicine in conformity with the precepts of its traditions.