Sample from 11th Century: Kutadgu Bilig and the Four Principles of Bioethics

Abstract

There are various ethical approaches in the history of philosophy. Beauchamp and Childress introduced four basic principles which were acceptable in all communities: beneficence, non-maleficence, respect for autonomy and jus­tice. Yusuf Khass Hajib is the first author of the Islamic Turkish Literature whose work was found out. This study aims to reveal the existence of four principles of bioethics in this work, in Kutadgu Bilig, presented to the prince of Karakhanids, Tavgach Bugra Khan, by Yusuf Khass Hajib in 1069-1070. It was found out in this study that all these principles were included in Kutadgu Bilig in different forms. The principles that Beauchamp and Childress argued to be acceptable in all communities and all cultures have already existed in different communities in different ages. Yusuf Khass Hajib's work, Kutadgu Bilig, constitutes a good example of this reality.