The Samaritan Moral Tradition in Medicine
Courtney
Last Name Campbell
Terminal Degree(s) Ph.D.
Title/Position Hundere Professor of Religion and Culture
Institution/Organization Oregon State University/History, Philosophy & Religion
The Samaritan Moral Tradition in Medicine
Few stories are as evocative of moral imagination and responsibility in both religious and medical traditions as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Scholars and theologians esteem the parable to be a definitive expression and exemplification of Christian love for the neighbor and the stranger. The appropriation of the parable within the medical profession is also historically deep and meaningful. As ethicist Larry Churchill observed, “The one figure of virtue which most forcefully and clearly has captured the imagination of physicians is the Good Samaritan.” The parable has had a profound influence on the organizational ethos of medicine, as evidenced by numerous health care institutions and programs that are denominated by the term “Samaritan.”
As the biblical narrative has provided a resonant symbol for the caring identity and compassionate ethic of the healing professions, samaritanism comprises one of the moral traditions of contemporary medicine. This paper presentation explores whether the moral tradition of samaritanism will persist as part of the future of medicine in the face of shifting understandings of professional integrity and organizational cultures. I draw on the writings of practitioners of medicine (Walsh McDermott) and scholars of medical ethics (Al Jonsen, Allen Verhey) to examine these challenges and to present an exposition of samaritanism as a prophetic and critical tradition focused not only on care but also with justice and integrity.
Few stories are as evocative of moral imagination and responsibility in both religious and medical traditions as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Scholars and theologians esteem the parable to be a definitive expression and exemplification of Christian love for the neighbor and the stranger. The appropriation of the parable within the medical profession is also historically deep and meaningful. As ethicist Larry Churchill observed, “The one figure of virtue which most forcefully and clearly has captured the imagination of physicians is the Good Samaritan.” The parable has had a profound influence on the organizational ethos of medicine, as evidenced by numerous health care institutions and programs that are denominated by the term “Samaritan.”
As the biblical narrative has provided a resonant symbol for the caring identity and compassionate ethic of the healing professions, samaritanism comprises one of the moral traditions of contemporary medicine. This paper presentation explores whether the moral tradition of samaritanism will persist as part of the future of medicine in the face of shifting understandings of professional integrity and organizational cultures. I draw on the writings of practitioners of medicine (Walsh McDermott) and scholars of medical ethics (Al Jonsen, Allen Verhey) to examine these challenges and to present an exposition of samaritanism as a prophetic and critical tradition focused not only on care but also with justice and integrity.