What Makes a Good Physician? Timeless Lessons from Classical Medical Ethics for Today’s Bioethics

What is it about?

This study explores a 9th-century guide for physicians, titled “Adab al-Tabib (Etiquettes of the Physicians)” blending medicine, ethics, and religion to define a “good physician.” It highlights timeless principles of care, character, and knowledge that still inspire modern debates on ethical healthcare and bioethics today.

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Photo by Austrian National Library on Unsplash

Photo by Austrian National Library on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This publication explores Adab al-Ṭabīb, a groundbreaking work in medical ethics from Islamic civilization, written by the practicing physician Isḥāq b. ʿAlī al-Ruhāwī. The book is written in such a neutral style that the author’s religious identity remains uncertain to modern researchers. Al-Ruhāwī did not treat medical ethics as a separate domain but integrated it with theology, philosophy, and Greek thought. He expanded the concept of medical excellence beyond mere professional practice, connecting it to a deeper understanding of human nature and the interactions between humans and the broader environment, all of which influence health and well-being. By examining these historical discussions, this work highlights how today’s bioethical debates, often limited to narrow clinical risk-benefit assessments, could greatly benefit from the timeless insights offered by al-Ruhāwī’s holistic approach.

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