Ayurvedic Ethics: Traditional Foundations and Contemporary Relevance

Title

Ayurvedic Ethics: Traditional Foundations and Contemporary Relevance

Creator

Hegde, Radhika; Parvathaiah, Vagishwari Saligame

Description

Ayurveda is a widely practised traditional medical system in India in which clinical practice and moral philosophy are intrinsically linked. Classical concepts, such as Sadv?tta (good conduct) and Chikits? Chatu?p?da (four pillars of treatment), define physician duties, patient care, and community responsibility, reflecting a holistic approach to health. This short communication examines how these frameworks, rooted in historical and cultural contexts, can inform contemporary debates on medical ethics. It explores their continuing relevance in strengthening patientphysician trust, promoting equitable access to care, and shaping the moral responsibilities of healthcare providers in an era of increasing commercialisation. Drawing on these enduring principles, the paper argues that Ayurvedic ethics can offer culturally grounded yet adaptable guidance for modern medical practice. By integrating these insights into present-day discourse, Ayurvedic ethics contribute to inclusive, context-sensitive, and ethically robust approaches to healthcare ethics that address both local traditions and the universal principles of compassionate, ethical medical care. Journal of Research on History of Medicine.

Source

Journal of Research on History of Medicine;Volume;15;Issue;1;pp.71-76

Date

01-01-2026

Publisher

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Subject

Ayurvedic Ethics; Bioethics; Holistic Health; Medical; Patient Care; Traditional Ethics

Coverage

Hegde R., Department of International Studies, Political Science and History, Christ (Deemed to be University), Karnataka, Bangalore, India; Parvathaiah V.S., Department of History, Christ (Deemed to be University), Karnataka, Bangalore, India

Rights

Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library

Relation

ISSN: 2251886X;

Format

online

Language

English

Type

Article

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.30476/rhm.2025.105672.1280

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105036833627?origin=resultslist