A Hippocratic Oath for Humanity

A Hippocratic Oath for humanity,

I think that’s what we might need

these days. A pledge that we, as human

beings, will do no harm to

others.

The original Hippocratic Oath is rife with

inconsistencies, as any document from

circa 275 AD might be; open to translation,

interpretation and selective inference.

Yet I think the tone is practical and wise.

First, Do No Harm – Seems like a simple

enough philosophy. Just act in a way that

does not cause injury to others through

action or inaction.

Whoa! That’s just crazy talk. Right?

Just don’t do things that could hurt

someone? I mean, that’s just such a

radical concept, from 275 AD.

Those Greek knuckleheads probably didn’t

even know what they were doing, right?

Although our Republic is totally based

on their government and a majority of

the Democratic system of elections was

sort of their idea, but c’mon, they’re all

dead. What can we learn from them.

Enough of the nay-saying. I think

it is only right that we embrace this idea

of living in a way that does no harm.

Not as physicians, but as doctors of humanity,

striving to create a world in which we do not fear.

We take this oath and swear to do no

harm, to take no action which will result

in injury or insult to my fellow human beings.

We swear to hear the cries of the hurt, the

wounded and the shamed and act accordingly.

We make no promises. We make no lies.

We strive to find the best of ourselves and

those around us. We recognize our individuality,

and our oneness. We pledge to

believe in the potential of humanity

to be good and great, through support,

understanding and knowledge.

We pledge to do no harm.