Chen Shigong’s medical ethical thought and its contemporary value
10.12026/j.issn.1001-8565.2025.03.14
- VernacularTitle:陈实功的医学伦理思想及其当代价值
- Author:
Ying LI
1
;
Hongwen LI
2
Author Information
1. School of Humanities and Management， Hunan University of Chinese Medicine， Changsha 410208， China
2. School of Marxism， Hunan University of Chinese Medicine， Changsha 410208， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Chen Shigong;
medical ethical thought;
Orthodox Manual of External Diseases;
traditional Chinese medicine
- From:
Chinese Medical Ethics
2025;38(3):364-369
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Chen Shigong is a renowned traditional Chinese medical surgeon in the Ming Dynasty， and his medical ethical thought is an important part of ancient Chinese medical ethical thought. The “five precepts of physicians” and the “ten essentials for physicians” in his book Orthodox Manual of External Diseases are regarded as the third monument in the history of the development of traditional Chinese medical ethics. Chen Shigong’s medical ethical thought was mainly influenced by the Song and Ming philosophies， forming the worldview of “unity of heaven and humanity” and a philosophy of life of “unity of knowledge and action.” He also advocated the values of benevolence among physicians and indifference to fame and fortune， the doctor-patient view of treating patients equally and preserving privacy， the medical view of respecting peers and spreading medical skills， and the diagnosis and treatment view of fulfilling duties and treating patients based on syndrome differentiation. Chen Shigong’s medical ethical thought advocated that medical ethics and skills should be given equal importance， which has a strong vitality and important reference value in strengthening medical ethical education， improving doctor-patient relationships， and cultivating the spirit of “benevolence” among physicians.
