Would you let a doctor from two thousand years ago operate on you?

Question

Then why adhere to a two thousand year old code of ethics?

Answer 1

If that guy managed to live for two thousand years he must be one hell of a doc, so I'd certainly let him operate.

WK

Answer 2

I see the point you are trying to make but some ethics are universal - you don't kill people or steal - have been around a lot longer than 2000 years.

Of course society changes and there are more situations that new ethics have to be found for.

As far as medicine - ancient Greek doctors used almost the same tools that every doctor has in his kit - and there are evidence they performed surgeries - of course you really wouldn't not want to be operated on under the unsanitary conditions they did but they weren't as primitive as people would believe. Of course then if you look at Eastern medicine which is even more ancient , I would haven't a problem being treated by those practitioners. Even today a lot of physicians are taking a new look at Eastern medicine.

Just because something is ancient does not mean it is wrong - you just have to look at the validity.

Answer 3

Well, when I read your question I had an answer in my mind, and when I read your question details, that same answer came to mind.

Two throusand years ago, although those in the medical field don't nave nearly as much advanced technology as today, they knew their herbs and knew how to put them to use.

Two years ago I had my gallbladder removed because of one gallstone that the doctor made sure I knew could do tons of harm. He failed to even mention my options however, and being without insurance and paying fully out of pocket, he wanted to make sure he would earn a good little chunk of cash. I was 22. After my surgery and recovery, I find that there are tonics that break up gallstones so that the body can flush them out naturally without any harmful side effects or risk of infection, uncontrolled bleeding, and having foreign objects jammed into your body.

So depending on the type of surgery I had to have, I would most likely choose the 2,000 year old naturalist over the modern day quack who would say anything for your $$$.

Then that brings us back to ethics. Again, 2,000 years ago may not have been as advanced as today's society, however by changing so many ethics, we are loosing out on much of the good stuff as well. Change is good, most of the time, but sometimes change looses alot of values of the past.

Answer 4

Some of the doctors 2000 years ago could have done more to help me than the ones I have had...

Answer 5

There isn't a 2000 year old code of ethics. HIPAA isn't 2000 years old

Answer 6

What is good is the standard has been set. It won't change. This way I don't have to try to figure out since it is a different day what I need to believe for today or what I need to do.

Answer 7

Bad analogy.

Doctors deal with medical knowledge, which (obviously) changes and improves over time.

Ethics and religious teachings are not bound in that way by time, though. They generally are timeless and eternal.

Again, bad analogy. It's a shame that so many people these days just don't know how to make good analogies to support their arguments.

Answer 8

I wouldnt, but dont think anyone would either. Many will gladly accept the offerings of modern science when it suits them, yet reject it when it conflicts with ancient religious texts.

Answer 9

If the doctor is living and competent yes!

Answer 10

only if they were channelled through a medium to perform psychic surgery

apart from that no

bet you werent expecting that one lol