自從美國喬治城大學Tom Beauchanp及James Childress於1979年出版了《醫學倫理原則》一書以來,對醫學倫理的抉擇判斷上是否需要有「原則」的指引,在學界上就一直是熱門的話題。歐洲醫學倫理學者以Peter Kemp為代表提出了不同的倫理原則,日本的Sakamato則認為原則並沒有必要。還有很多學者以情境為出發點強調每一個醫療事件都有不同的面向、情況與地域、文化思考之不同,因之應以情境為主要的考量,未必需要原則的指引而且原則是相對性的,會因文化差異而有所不同。本論文從中國古代醫者的行醫事蹟、著作來探尋中國的醫者是否在行醫過程中動守醫者本分,也即類似原則思維的表現?雖然中國古代並沒有「醫學倫理」這個名詞,但從歷代具有代表性之醫者身上,此論文發現,其實在中國古代醫者的行醫事蹟當中,就表現出類似的醫學倫理情操。因之,本論文結語就肯定地指出醫學倫理原則是具普世價值的,意即世界上有所謂的共同道德存在。
This article explores whether or not a common morality exists between the ethical teachings of Chinese medical tradition and western bioethical principles advocating beneficence, nonmaleficence autonomy and justice as bioethical principles to guide biomedical decision-making. Using analytical and narrative methods, we investigated whether themes similar to Georgetown bioethical principles could be found in medical folktales in ancient China. We found clear examples of non-maleificence and beneficence. We also found examples of autonomy and justice, though with a slightly different emphasis. In conclusion, the traditions are not different in principles but in interpretation. We, therefore, conclude that they share a common morality.