The moral precepts embodied in the Hippocratic oath, which physicians

Question

The moral precepts embodied in the Hippocratic
oath, which physicians standardly affirm upon
beginning medical practice, have long been
considered the immutable bedrock of medical ethics,
  (5)   binding physicians in a moral community that reaches
across temporal, cultural, and national barriers. Until
very recently the promises expressed in that oath—for
example to act primarily for the benefit and not the
harm of patients and to conform to various standards
  (10)   of professional conduct including the preservation of
patients’ confidences—even seemed impervious to the
powerful scientific and societal forces challenging it.
Critics argue that the oath is outdated; its fixed moral
rules, they say, are incompatible with more flexible
  (15)   modern ideas about ethics. It also encourages doctors
to adopt an authoritarian stance that depreciates the
privacy and autonomy of the patient. Furthermore, its
emphasis on the individual patient without regard for
the wider social context frustrates the physician’s
  (20)   emerging role as gatekeeper in managed care plans
and impedes competitive market forces, which, some
critics believe, should determine the quality, price,
and distribution of health care as they do those of
other commodities. The oath is also faulted for its
  (25)   omissions: its failure to mention such vital
contemporary issues as human experimentation and
the relationships of physicians to other health
professionals. Some respected opponents even cite
historical doubts about the oath’s origin and
  (30)   authorship, presenting evidence that it was formulated
by a small group of reformist physicians in ancient
Greece and that for centuries it was not uniformly
accepted by medical practitioners.

This historical issue may be dismissed at the
  (35)   outset as irrelevant to the oath’s current
appropriateness. Regardless of the specific origin of
its text—which, admittedly, is at best
uncertain—those in each generation who critically
appraise its content and judge it to express valid
  (40)   principles of medical ethics become, in a more
meaningful sense, its authors. More importantly, even
the more substantive, morally based arguments
concerning contemporary values and newly relevant
issues cannot negate the patients’ need for assurance
  (45)   that physicians will pursue appropriate goals in
treatment in accordance with generally acceptable
standards of professionalism. To fulfill that need, the
core value of beneficence—which does not actually
conflict with most reformers’ purposes—should be
  (50)   retained, with adaptations at the oath’s periphery by
some combination of revision, supplementation, and
modern interpretation. In fact, there is already a
tradition of peripheral reinterpretation of traditional
wording; for example, the oath’s vaguely and
  (55)   archaically worded proscription against “cutting for
the stone” may once have served to forbid surgery,
but with today’s safer and more effective surgical
techniques it is understood to function as a promise
to practice within the confines of one’s expertise,
  (60)   which remains a necessary safeguard for patients’
safety and well-being.    1 
 1. Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

(A) The Hippocratic oath ought to be reevaluated carefully, with special regard to the role of the physician, to make certain that its fundamental moral rules still apply today.
(B) Despite recent criticisms of the Hippocratic oath, some version of it that will continue to assure patients of physicians’ professionalism and beneficent treatment ought to be retained.
(C) Codes of ethics developed for one society at a particular point in history may lose some specific application in later societies but can retain a useful fundamental moral purpose.
(D) Even the criticisms of the Hippocratic oath based on contemporary values and newly relevant medical issues cannot negate patients’ need for assurance.
(E) Modern ideas about ethics, especially medical ethics, obviate the need for and appropriateness of a single code of medical ethics like the Hippocratic oath.

2 
2. Which one of the following most accurately describes the organization of the material presented in the passage?

(A) A general principle is described, criticisms of the principle are made, and modifications of the principle are made in light of these criticisms.
(B) A set of criticisms is put forward, and possible replies to those criticisms are considered and dismissed.
(C) The history of a certain code of conduct is discussed, criticisms of the code are mentioned and partially endorsed, and the code is modified as a response.
(D) A general principle is formulated, a partial defense of that principle is presented, and criticisms of the principle are discussed and rejected.
(E) The tradition surrounding a certain code of conduct is discussed, criticisms of that code are mentioned, and a general defense of the code is presented.

3 
 3. The passage cites which one of the following as a value at the heart of the Hippocratic oath that should present no difficulty to most reformers?

(A) creation of a community of physicians from all eras, nations, and cultures
(B) constant improvement and advancement of medical science
(C) provision of medical care to all individuals regardless of ability to pay
(D) physician action for the benefit of patients
(E) observance of established moral rules even in the face of challenging societal forces

4 
 4. The author’s primary purpose in the passage is to

(A) affirm society’s continuing need for a code embodying certain principles
(B) chastise critics within the medical community who support reinterpretation of a code embodying certain principles
(C) argue that historical doubts about the origin of a certain code are irrelevant to its interpretation
(D) outline the pros and cons of revising a code embodying certain principles
(E) propose a revision of a code embodying certain principles that will increase the code’s applicability to modern times

5 
 5. Based on information in the passage, it can be inferred that which one of the following sentences could most logically be added to the passage as a concluding sentence?

(A) The fact that such reinterpretations are so easy, however, suggests that our rejection of the historical issue was perhaps premature.
(B) Yet, where such piecemeal reinterpretation is not possible, revisions to even the core value of the oath may be necessary.
(C) It is thus simply a failure of the imagination, and not any changes in the medical profession or society in general, that has motivated critics of the Hippocratic oath.
(D) Because of this tradition of reinterpretation of the Hippocratic oath, therefore, modern ideas about medical ethics must be much more flexible than they have been in the past.
(E) Despite many new challenges facing the medical profession, therefore, there is no real need for wholesale revision of the Hippocratic oath.

6 
 6. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a criticism of the Hippocratic oath EXCEPT:

(A) The oath encourages authoritarianism on the part of physicians.
(B) The version of the oath in use today is not identical to the oath formulated in ancient Greece.
(C) The oath fails to address modern medical dilemmas that could not have been foreseen in ancient Greece.
(D) The oath’s absolutism is incompatible with contemporary views of morality.
(E) The oath’s emphasis on the individual patient is often not compatible with a market-driven medical industry.

7 
 7. Which one of the following can most accurately be used to describe the author’s attitude toward critics of the Hippocratic oath?

(A) enthusiastic support
(B) bemused dismissal
(C) reasoned disagreement
(D) strict neutrality
(E) guarded agreement

8 
 8. Which one of the following would be most suitable as a title for this passage if it were to appear as an editorial piece?

(A) “The Ancients versus the Moderns: Conflicting Ideas About Medical Ethics”
(B) “Hypocritical Oafs: Why ‘Managed Care’ Proponents are Seeking to Repeal an Ancient Code”
(C) “Genetic Fallacy in the Age of Gene-Splicing: Why the Origins of the Hippocratic Oath Don’t Matter”
(D) “The Dead Hand of Hippocrates: Breaking the Hold of Ancient Ideas on Modern Medicine”
(E) “Prescription for the Hippocratic Oath: Facelift or Major Surgery?”

Source:   LSAT Official PrepTest 45   
 Difficulty Level:   700

RC Butler 2021  -  Practice Two RC Questions Everyday.   
Passage # 312 Date: 13-Aug-2021
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2021 .  Click here for Details

ash124 · Answer

Understand the Passage: 
 The author mentioned the various perspective regarding Hippocratic
oath
- It is an outdated 
- Different issues with the oath

In the 2nd paragraph:
The author mentioned his/her opinion i.e. Oath may not require an entire revamp.

1. Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

(A) The Hippocratic oath ought to be reevaluated carefully, with special regard to the role of the physician, to make certain that its fundamental moral rules still apply today.
 'with special regard to the role of the physician' is the issue. 
(B) Despite recent criticisms of the Hippocratic oath, some version of it that will continue to assure patients of physicians’ professionalism and beneficent treatment ought to be retained.
 'Some version of it' is the issue 
(C) Codes of ethics developed for one society at a particular point in history may lose some specific application in later societies but can retain a useful fundamental moral purpose.
 It covers the entire passage. 
(D) Even the criticisms of the Hippocratic oath based on contemporary values and newly relevant medical issues cannot negate patients’ need for assurance.
 Only covers 2nd paragraph. 
(E) Modern ideas about ethics, especially medical ethics, obviate the need for and appropriateness of a single code of medical ethics like the Hippocratic oath.
 Too broad "Modern ideas about ethics"

Answer: C

2. Which one of the following most accurately describes the organization of the material presented in the passage?

(A) A general principle is described, criticisms of the principle are made, and modifications of the principle are made in light of these criticisms.
 did modification actually happen? 
(B) A set of criticisms is put forward, and possible replies to those criticisms are considered and dismissed.
 "dismissed' is the issue. 
(C) The history of a certain code of conduct is discussed, criticisms of the code are mentioned and partially endorsed, and the code is modified as a response.
 did modification actually happen? 
(D) A general principle is formulated, a partial defense of that principle is presented, and criticisms of the principle are discussed and rejected.
 Not rejected. 
(E) The tradition surrounding a certain code of conduct is discussed, criticisms of that code are mentioned, and a general defense of the code is presented.
 Better

Answer: E

3. The passage cites which one of the following as a value at the heart of the Hippocratic oath that should present no difficulty to most reformers?

(A) creation of a community of physicians from all eras, nations, and cultures
 Nowhere mentioned 
(B) constant improvement and advancement of medical science
 Not the value at the heart 
(C) provision of medical care to all individuals regardless of ability to pay
 Not mentioned 
(D) physician action for the benefit of patients
 Better: mentioned in the 2nd para. 
(E) observance of established moral rules even in the face of challenging societal forces
 Not the value at the heart

4. The author’s primary purpose in the passage is to

(A) affirm society’s continuing need for a code embodying certain principles
 too generic 
(B) chastise critics within the medical community who support reinterpretation of a code embodying certain principles
 critics are not the focus 
(C) argue that historical doubts about the origin of a certain code are irrelevant to its interpretation
 Mentioned briefly( not the whole point) 
(D) outline the pros and cons of revising a code embodying certain principles
 "pros and cons" is the issue. 
(E) propose a revision of a code embodying certain principles that will increase the code’s applicability to modern times
 Better answer supported in 2nd paragraph.

5. Based on information in the passage, it can be inferred that which one of the following sentences could most logically be added to the passage as a concluding sentence?
 The Author focused on the feel of safety needed for patient  
(A) The fact that such reinterpretations are so easy, however, suggests that our rejection of the historical issue was perhaps premature.
 Too casual 
(B) Yet, where such piecemeal reinterpretation is not possible, revisions to even the core value of the oath may be necessary.
 The author is saying just the opposite. 
(C) It is thus simply a failure of the imagination, and not any changes in the medical profession or society in general, that has motivated critics of the Hippocratic oath.
 too extreme. 
(D) Because of this tradition of reinterpretation of the Hippocratic oath, therefore, modern ideas about medical ethics must be much more flexible than they have been in the past.
 not aligning "modern ideas about medical ethics must be much more flexible than they have been in the past." 
(E) Despite many new challenges facing the medical profession, therefore, there is no real need for wholesale revision of the Hippocratic oath.
 Better option. 
 Answer E

6. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a criticism of the Hippocratic oath EXCEPT:

(A) The oath encourages authoritarianism on the part of physicians.
(B) The version of the oath in use today is not identical to the oath formulated in ancient Greece.
 This is not the criticism mentioned 
(C) The oath fails to address modern medical dilemmas that could not have been foreseen in ancient Greece.
(D) The oath’s absolutism is incompatible with contemporary views of morality.
(E) The oath’s emphasis on the individual patient is often not compatible with a market-driven medical industry.

Answer B

7. Which one of the following can most accurately be used to describe the author’s attitude toward critics of the Hippocratic oath?

(A) enthusiastic support
 Not according to the 2nd paragraph 
(B) bemused dismissal
 the author is not bemused 
(C) reasoned disagreement
 Not completely disagree. 
(D) strict neutrality
 the author is not neutral 
(E) guarded agreement
 Better choice

Answer E

8. Which one of the following would be most suitable as a title for this passage if it were to appear as an editorial piece?

(A) “The Ancients versus the Moderns: Conflicting Ideas About Medical Ethics”
 Better for 1st para. 
(B) “Hypocritical Oafs: Why ‘Managed Care’ Proponents are Seeking to Repeal an Ancient Code”
 extreme 
(C) “Genetic Fallacy in the Age of Gene-Splicing: Why the Origins of the Hippocratic Oath Don’t Matter”
 "the Age of Gene-Splicing?" 
(D) “The Dead Hand of Hippocrates: Breaking the Hold of Ancient Ideas on Modern Medicine”
 "The Dead Hand" too extreme 
(E) “Prescription for the Hippocratic Oath: Facelift or Major Surgery?”
 Better 
 Answer E

Gaurav2896 · Answer

HI ,

All correct except Q4 , can anyone explain it to me . I picked C , as I see its explanation in start of paragraph 2.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

4. The author’s primary purpose in the passage is to

Difficulty Level:   700-750

Explanation

By now we know that the author’s aim is to defend the Hippocratic oath against the reformers and critics who would gut it because (they say) it’s too remote from the modern world.

(A)  is written abstractly—referring to  “a code”  instead of the specific one—but we know what it means, and certainly this passage is an affirmation of the code’s ongoing relevance.

(B)  Although the author is opposed to trashing the oath and to a wholesale overhaul, he does agree that some reinterpretation or  “adaptation” (line 50)  would be advisable. Also, the tone is not one of  “chastisement” ; it’s not personal.

(C)  is too narrowly focused on  lines 28–41.  There’s a lot more substance to this argument than the narrow issue of historical origin.

(D)  Although the author does let us know the current arguments against the code, he is not weighing the pros and cons as if trying to work out a position. His position is strongly stated in  lines 47–52 , and the primary purpose has to reflect that fact.

(E)  The author wants to leave the code largely intact except for some  “adaptations at the...periphery”  that would make some concessions to modern medical issues. The proposal  (E)  describes is far more radical and wide-ranging.

Answer: A

GMATGuruNY · Answer

What is the BIG IDEA that the author want us to believe?

Excerpts from the passage:
  The moral precepts embodied in the Hippocratic oath have long been considered the immutable bedrock of medical ethics.
Until very recently the promises expressed in that oath seemed impervious to forces challenging it. 
Arguments cannot negate the patients’ need for assurance. 
 To fulfill that need, the core value of beneficence should be retained  .

The statements in blue serve to support the big idea expressed in the green statement.
Thus:
The author’s primary purpose is  to affirm society’s continuing need for a code embodying certain principles .

A

abhola · Answer

Hi Sajjad1994 Could you please share the explanations for Q1, Q6 and Q7? Thank you in advance

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Passage summary and Map

You should be hyperaware of such references as  “have long been considered” (lines 3–4), “Until very recently” (lines 6–7),  and  “even seemed impervious” (line 11) —all of which signal that the author is telling you about the norm of the past, the traditional view, and any of which ought to suggest that another shoe is about to drop. The anticipated shoe hits at  line 13 , as we learn the critics’ position on the traditional norm  (“it’s outdated”) , at which point we’re well advised to ask ourselves these questions:

What’s different now?

Does the author approve or disapprove of it?

To what extent?

The Topic is the Hippocratic oath, of course, and the Scope is the oath’s relevance to the modern world. Although  lines 1–12  explain its traditional  “immutable bedrock”  status in terms of medical ethics,  lines 13–33  (with  line 13 , as we’ve seen, acting as the transition point) explain the problems that people have with the oath these days, problems you can note in the margin or circle in the text as: inflexibility  (lines 14–15) ; authoritarianism  (line 16) ; frustration of the physician’s role and of market forces  (lines 18–21) ; the failure to mention modern issues  (lines 25–26) ; and doubt as to the oath’s origin in the first place.

All of that serves to answer the first of the three questions we posed: What’s different is that critics think that the worlds of medicine and medical ethics have evolved and left the oath behind. Happily for us, the author almost immediately begins  paragraph 2  by answering the other two questions. First, he dismisses that last objection about the oath’s origin  (lines 34–41) , and then he rebuts the criticism generally  (lines 41–47)  by pointing out that patients of all times and places need the basic assurances that the oath offers. Did  lines 47–52— “The core”  of the oath  “should be retained...with adaptations”  to the modern world— strike you as the Main Idea? The text’s tone, emphasis, and relation to what preceeded it certainly should have, and you might have also noted, at the end, the categorical endorsement of patients’ need for safeguards. (In between, in  lines 52–60 , there’s an example of one phrase of the oath that has in fact been  “adapted”  to the modern world.) Unlike most Roadmaps in which we sum up each paragraph in the margin, here it’s more a matter of identifying the subtopics within the two long paragraphs:

Paragraph 1 —Traditional role (1–12); criticism (13–33)

Paragraph 2 —Rebuttal of one charge (34–41); general rebuttal (41–47); POV (47–52); adaptation example (52–61)

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

The moment we realize that the author is strongly in favor of retaining the letter and spirit of the Hippocratic oath—with modifications  “at the oath’s periphery”  we can toss out  (A)  and  (E) , both of which are on the side of either radically rewriting the oath or scrapping it altogether.

(C)  is a general statement to which the author might subscribe, but it fails to recognize that the topic of this passage is the specific example of the Hippocratic oath.

And  (D)  seems to think that the passage is an argument about  “patients’ need for assurance,”  a point made around  line 44  as the author moves to his main view about the oath.

That leaves  (B) , which has the topic and scope right, and recognizes the author’s strong belief that physicians’ professionalism and beneficence is best served by retaining the basic oath.

Answer: B

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

6. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as a criticism of the Hippocratic oath EXCEPT:

Difficulty Level:   650

Explanation

Some students like to read each choice and then proceed to  paragraph 1, lines 13–33  of course, to seek support for it. Others like to skim the text in question and then attack the choices in random order. Either way, we can be sure that four choices explicitly reflect pieces of criticism, so the right answer must either contradict the text or lie outside its scope.

(A)  The authoritarian charge appears in  lines 15–17.  Eliminate.

(B)  All of the evidence, such as that mentioned in  lines 54–56 , suggests that the oath is exactly the same one that physicians have always taken. As a 180,  (B)  must be correct, but let’s check the others to be certain:

(C)  The oath’s failure to reflect modern medicine is cited in  lines 25–28.

(D)  echoes  lines 14–15 , almost word for word.

(E)  sums up  lines 17–24  pretty concisely.

Answer: B

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

7. Which one of the following can most accurately be used to describe the author’s attitude toward critics of the Hippocratic oath?

Difficulty Level:   650

Explanation

Because the author responds to critics by denying their premise that the oath needs to be scrapped or totally overhauled, and because he offers evidence as to why their view is wrong,  “reasoned disagreement,” (C) , is the best answer. Now let’s consider how the passage would have to look (i.e., very different!) if any of the other choices were correct:

(A)  The author would have to be 100% gung-ho about the prospect of dispensing with, or overhauling, the oath. We would also not see any concession to retaining its central principle  (lines 47–50)  or rewriting it on the periphery  (lines 50–53).

(B)  The passage would have to ignore the oath’s critics without comment, though not without explicitly expressing puzzlement (“bemused”) over their peculiar stance.

(D)  There would be nothing but objective reporting and no point of view. Certainly, we’d never see a sentence advocating that anything  “should be retained” (lines 49–50).

(E)  We would need to see  “approval with reservations,”  when in fact what we get is  “disagreement with reservations.”

Answer: C

abhola · Answer

Hi Charles GMATNinja

With regards to the explanation provided for Q7, I have a very similar doubt that have posted on the link below.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/in-many-bili ... l#p2890283

The doubt again is related to the intermixing of RC and CR terminology which for some reason, I am very strictly adhering to.

In this explanation, it is given that "premise" of critics is that we need to scrap or complete modify the oath. But to me, it's more like an assessment or a viewpoint (conclusion basically).

In case you get a chance to see this, I would really appreciate if you address the concerns in any one of the 2 similar posts I have made. I just need to validate my thought process with you on this one.

Thank you.

And thanks so much Sajjad1994 for these extremely helpful and thorough explanation.

Regards.

Posted from my mobile device

ThatIndianGuy · Answer

Hi  Sajjad1994  
Please post explanation for Q5.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

5. Based on information in the passage, it can be inferred that which one of the following sentences could most logically be added to the passage as a concluding sentence?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

The passage ends  (lines 52–61)  with an extended example preceded by  “In fact,”  which in turn tells us that the example represents one  “peripheral adaptation”  of the oath’s wording that has already taken place. But the overall purpose of the paragraph is, as we’ve seen, to express the author’s strongly worded stance on the essential need for the Hippocratic oath as is; only if the passage ends with something like  (E) , a staunch restatement of the author’s point of view, will the thrust of the text continue to make sense.

(A)  The author rejects  “the historical issue” in lines 37–41  before going on to something  “more important.”  That he would return to the issue that he has utterly abandoned is inconceivable.

(B)  reflects a revisionist/reformist viewpoint that the author is on record as disavowing. He will not tolerate deviation from the core value of beneficence.

(C)  Nothing in  paragraph 3  imputes any dishonorable motives on the part of oath reformers, so why would a swipe at the critics be justified? No way.

(D) , like  (B) , goes too far in expressing a revisionist/reformist viewpoint. The author is trying to maintain the contemporary usage of an ancient oath, not open the door to more  “flexible”  ideas.

Answer: E

nikitathegreat · Answer

8. Which one of the following would be most suitable as a title for this passage if it were to appear as an editorial piece?

(A) “The Ancients versus the Moderns: Conflicting Ideas About Medical Ethics”
Better for 1st para.
(B) “Hypocritical Oafs: Why ‘Managed Care’ Proponents are Seeking to Repeal an Ancient Code”
(C) “Genetic Fallacy in the Age of Gene-Splicing: Why the Origins of the Hippocratic Oath Don’t Matter”
(D) “The Dead Hand of Hippocrates: Breaking the Hold of Ancient Ideas on Modern Medicine”
(E) “Prescription for the Hippocratic Oath: Facelift or Major Surgery?”

GMATNinja  - Can you explain this answers?

4. The author’s primary purpose in the passage is to

(A) affirm society’s continuing need for a code embodying certain principles
(B) chastise critics within the medical community who support reinterpretation of a code embodying certain principles
(C) argue that historical doubts about the origin of a certain code are irrelevant to its interpretation
(D) outline the pros and cons of revising a code embodying certain principles
(E) propose a revision of a code embodying certain principles that will increase the code’s applicability to modern times

I was confused between option choice A and E. Can you explain why A is correct and E is incorrect?

5. Based on information in the passage, it can be inferred that which one of the following sentences could most logically be added to the passage as a concluding sentence?

(A) The fact that such reinterpretations are so easy, however, suggests that our rejection of the historical issue was perhaps premature.
(B) Yet, where such piecemeal reinterpretation is not possible, revisions to even the core value of the oath may be necessary.
(C) It is thus simply a failure of the imagination, and not any changes in the medical profession or society in general, that has motivated critics of the Hippocratic oath >> is this incorrect because of not any changes??There are supplementation and revisions to the oath that is done to suit the modern times??

(D) Because of this tradition of reinterpretation of the Hippocratic oath, therefore, modern ideas about medical ethics must be much more flexible than they have been in the past.
 GMATNinja  - can you explain this
(E) Despite many new challenges facing the medical profession, therefore, there is no real need for wholesale revision of the Hippocratic oath.>> there is no real need for complete revision.

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 8 
 
Whenever we get a question asking us for a suitable title for a passage, we want to think about the passage's fundamental punchline. This author's stance: critics want to make wholesale changes to The Hippocratic Oath, but he thinks that the core of the Oath is relevant. It just needs some flexibility and reinterpretation at the margins.

The only answer choice that comes even close to capturing this notion is (E). Does the oath need a small tweak (i.e., a facelift), or a massive revision (major surgery)? So (E) is our answer.

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 4 
 
Again, we can go back to that punchline we mentioned for question 8: the oath has tremendous fundamental value and should be preserved, but could use some tweaks here or there.

While (A) doesn't mention the tweaks, this is 100% consistent with the author's stance on the oath, right? He definitely falls on the side of claiming that we need the code. So, while this option isn't perfect, it's good enough to hold on to, and certainly isn't wrong.

(E), on the other hand, is a pretty marked departure from the author's stance. He's not in favor of revising the code. He wants to preserve the bulk of the code and allow for small adjustments as necessary.

Another problem with (E) is that sounds aspirational. "If only they would revise this hoary old Hippocratic Oath, it might still be relevant for modern times!" But his point is that the oath has always been reinterpreted by physicians. We don't need to change it because physicians of each time period have proven smart and flexible enough to adjust as necessary.

Taken together, (A) -- though not perfect -- is the superior option.

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 5 
 
Again, back to the punchline we mentioned in the  explanation of question 8 : the code is good! It doesn't need to be radically changed. Doctors naturally adjust the circumstances of their place and time.

(C) is about the critics' motivations. But if you think about the structure of the passage -- starting with the critics' stance, rebutting these critics, and then outlining what's good about the Hippocratic Oath -- it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to then conclude with a line about what motivated these misguided critics, right?

A better conclusion is to reiterate the central point of the passage: the oath is pretty darn good, and well worth keeping. And that's what we get in (E).

I hope that helps!

The moral precepts embodied in the Hippocratic oath, which physicians

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The moral precepts embodied in the Hippocratic oath, which physicians

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