The Āyurveda and the Four Principles of Medical Ethics
This paper examines the ethical frameworks that guide Āyurvedic practices and compares them with those underlying contemporary Western medicine. At the heart of current bioethical debates is the question of whether certain principles can be universally valid across cultures. This paper argues that w...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/7/847 |
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| author | Izaiah H. Vasseur Signe Cohen |
| author_facet | Izaiah H. Vasseur Signe Cohen |
| author_sort | Izaiah H. Vasseur |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper examines the ethical frameworks that guide Āyurvedic practices and compares them with those underlying contemporary Western medicine. At the heart of current bioethical debates is the question of whether certain principles can be universally valid across cultures. This paper argues that while the moral vision of Āyurvedic medicine significantly differs from that of Western medicine in various respects, both systems share fundamental ethical principles, notably beneficence and non-maleficence. However, important distinctions arise in their respective conceptions of autonomy and justice, suggesting that these principles may not be as universally applicable as the former two. Drawing on the “four principles” approach of modern Western medical ethics, as outlined in Beauchamp and Childress’s Principles of Biomedical Ethics, this paper challenges the assumption that the principles of autonomy and justice are culturally neutral. Through a comparison with Āyurvedic ethics, we highlight how these principles may not be as universally relevant as commonly assumed, raising important questions about the possibility of a global bioethical framework. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e05634c8802b4f95a4cb87c1788df925 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-e05634c8802b4f95a4cb87c1788df9252025-08-20T03:32:33ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-06-0116784710.3390/rel16070847The Āyurveda and the Four Principles of Medical EthicsIzaiah H. Vasseur0Signe Cohen1Mathematics Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USAThe Department of Classics, Archaeology, and Religion, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USAThis paper examines the ethical frameworks that guide Āyurvedic practices and compares them with those underlying contemporary Western medicine. At the heart of current bioethical debates is the question of whether certain principles can be universally valid across cultures. This paper argues that while the moral vision of Āyurvedic medicine significantly differs from that of Western medicine in various respects, both systems share fundamental ethical principles, notably beneficence and non-maleficence. However, important distinctions arise in their respective conceptions of autonomy and justice, suggesting that these principles may not be as universally applicable as the former two. Drawing on the “four principles” approach of modern Western medical ethics, as outlined in Beauchamp and Childress’s Principles of Biomedical Ethics, this paper challenges the assumption that the principles of autonomy and justice are culturally neutral. Through a comparison with Āyurvedic ethics, we highlight how these principles may not be as universally relevant as commonly assumed, raising important questions about the possibility of a global bioethical framework.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/7/847Ayurvedamedical ethicsfour principles of medical ethicsdharmajusticeautonomy |
| spellingShingle | Izaiah H. Vasseur Signe Cohen The Āyurveda and the Four Principles of Medical Ethics Religions Ayurveda medical ethics four principles of medical ethics dharma justice autonomy |
| title | The Āyurveda and the Four Principles of Medical Ethics |
| title_full | The Āyurveda and the Four Principles of Medical Ethics |
| title_fullStr | The Āyurveda and the Four Principles of Medical Ethics |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Āyurveda and the Four Principles of Medical Ethics |
| title_short | The Āyurveda and the Four Principles of Medical Ethics |
| title_sort | ayurveda and the four principles of medical ethics |
| topic | Ayurveda medical ethics four principles of medical ethics dharma justice autonomy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/7/847 |
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