Year 2024 / Volume 31 / Number 3

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Special Article

Hippocratic medicine: between science, culture, and ethics

Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor. 2024; 31(3): 180-184 / DOI: 10.20986/resed.2025.4191/2024

José Antonio de Vera


ABSTRACT

Hippocratic medicine emerged in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE in the Greek world as a technical knowledge system based on the scientific understanding of nature. It marked a milestone in medical history, shaped by the ethical and cultural values of Greek society. While primarily catering to the affluent classes, it also treated slaves, often driven by their owners' economic interests. Hippocratic physicians combined scientific knowledge with an ethics rooted in “physis” and adhered to an oath emphasizing beneficence, non-maleficence, and confidentiality. The Hippocratic legacy has significantly influenced modern medicine, adapting to contemporary challenges such as patient autonomy, technological advancements, and bioethical dilemmas. Modern medical ethics builds upon these principles, expanding them to include broader social responsibilities. Although medical practice has evolved substantially, Hippocratic medicine remains a fundamental reference in fostering humanistic, patient-centered healthcare.



RESUMEN

La medicina hipocrática surgió en los siglos VI y V a. C. en el mundo griego como un saber técnico basado en el conocimiento científico de la naturaleza. Representó un hito en la historia de la medicina, influenciado por los valores éticos y culturales de la sociedad griega. Su práctica estaba orientada principalmente a las clases acomodadas, aunque atendía también a esclavos, generalmente por interés económico de sus dueños. El médico hipocrático combinaba conocimientos científicos con una ética basada en la “physis” y se regía por un juramento que destacaba la benevolencia, la no maleficencia y la confidencialidad. El legado hipocrático ha influido en la medicina moderna, adaptándose a nuevos desafíos como la autonomía del paciente, el impacto de la tecnología y los dilemas bioéticos. La ética médica actual se fundamenta en estos principios y los amplía, integrando una responsabilidad social más amplia. Aunque la práctica médica ha evolucionado significativamente, la medicina hipocrática continúa siendo una referencia fundamental en la construcción de una medicina humanista y centrada en el paciente.





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de Vera J. Hippocratic medicine: between science, culture, and ethics. Rev Soc Esp Dolor 2024; 31(3): 180-184 / DOI: 1020986/resed20254191/2024


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Publication history

Received: 24/12/2024

Accepted: 17/04/2025

Online First: 21/05/2025

Published: 01/10/2025

Article Online First time: 148 days

Article editing time: 281 days


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© 2025 Revista de la Sociedad Española del Dolor
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