Hippocratic Oath
Feb 3, 2021
“I will abstain from all intentional wrong-doing and harm”.
This ancient Greek maxim bears an uncomfortable amount of restraint. Why not change it to, “I will actively engage in doing good?”
The same question might be asked of the leaders at Google, whose founding motto was, “Don’t be evil.” Why not vow to “be good”?
The reason: humility.
A physician can’t promise that she’ll cure the disease, but she can promise to not knowingly exacerbate it.
A professional can’t promise to make the right decisions, but he can promise to not knowingly make the wrong ones.
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