Research On Hippocrates’ Philosophy Of Medicine

Hippocrates was a famous doctor in classical Greece,as well as a natural scientist and a thinker. Being called the father of western medicine, Hippocrates derived his philosophy of medicine from the early Greek natural philosophy and his rich medical practice, and rooted it in the Slave owner democracy of the great age of Pericles.From the view of the history of philosophy, Hippocrates’ thoughts is part of the ideological trend of philosophy of Ionia renaissance in the 5th century, His four fluid theory is theoretical construction and application of ancient Greek philosophy about the constitution factors of the world and their relationship on medicine, and human’s endeavor to rationally look for the ground of the unity of world. From the view of the history of medicine, Hippocrates’ theory belongs to the ancient holistic medicine and represents the peak of ancient Greek medicine which is the perfect combination of medical experience and rational thinking. also marks the turning point of separating medicine from philosophy and returning to the science of human body. Hippocrates made many original discussions on medical ontology, epistemology,methodology.and common problems in the practice of medicine, the humanities character of clinical cognitive subject, and many other problems. Hippocrates drew up the first medical ethics oath established the basic theoretical paradigm for the philosophy of medicine. and provided the experiment-based development direction of western medicine.This paper is divided into six chapters. The preface first discusses the significance of the research of Hippocratic philosophy of medicine from the perspective of theory and reality, then analyzes the current status of relevant study at home and abroad, and finally introduces the thesis research methods.The first chapter introduces Hippocrates and his works,and the geographical environment and humanistic spirit of the time of Hippocrates. The seceond chapter mainly discusses the forming background of Hippocratic philosophy of medicine, expounding the inspiration from the thought of Ionia school, Pythagoras school and Empedocles. The third chapter expounds the content of Hippocratic philosophy of medicine and discusses in details the Hippocratic medical ontology,epistemology,methodology and medical professionalism. The fourth chapter outlines the influence of the Hippocratic philosophy of medicine and its insufficiency. Focusing on the impact of Hippocrates’ thoughts on transition of medical science, medical humanities spirit and the mode of philosophical thinking, the paper explores the challenges encountered by Hippocratic philosophy of medicine in the context of modern theory and values.The conclusion calls for a return to Hippocrates spirit through the reflection to the modern medical system.