Journal of Research on History of Medicine

Journal of Research on History of Medicine

Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā) on Medical Ethics: An Analysis of Principles, Philosophical Foundations, and Contemporary Relevance

Document Type : Conference Paper

Authors
Kadircan H. Keskinbora 1
Kader Keskinbora 2
1 Professor of Ophthalmology, History of Medicine and Medical Ethics, Bahcesehir University, School of Medicine Istanbul, Turkiye
2 Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain, Istinye University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkiye
10.30476/rhm.2025.51254
Abstract
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the medical ethical principles espoused by Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā). Drawing from scholarly analyses of his philosophical system and his masterpiece, The Canon of Medicine, the study unveils Avicenna’s ethical proposals in three pivotal areas: the primacy of patient interests, the art of patient-physician communication, and the imperative of professional excellence. These principles have deep philosophical and metaphysical foundations. They are linked to his concepts of the rational spirit, the virtue of moderation (haddi e’tidal), and his proto-scientific methodology. The report provides a comparative analysis that highlights the similarity between Avicenna’s ethical principles and modern bioethical principles, such as beneficence and nonmaleficence. It also examines the historical divergence regarding patient autonomy and informed consent. The study concludes that Ibn Sina’s ethics constitute a complex, integrated system based on a holistic philosophy of the human person, offering enduring insights for contemporary medical education and practice.
Keywords
Avicenna
Ethics
Medical Ethics
History of Medicine
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Journal of Research on History of Medicine
Volume 14, Suppl. 1
The 2nd History of Medicine Meeting: Entangled Histories: Contribution of Iran and Türkiye to the Development of Medical Sciences; 2025 Oct 7-10; Shiraz, Iran
October 2025
Pages 45-48