Ethical Thinking on Chinese Traditional Culture and Voluntary Blood Donation / 中国医学伦理学

ABSTRACT

Although voluntary blood donation may be hindered by traditional Chinese culture, Chinese traditional culture does not only have a negative effect on voluntary blood donation. Among them, the concepts of "self-restraint" and "benevolence" can help people devote themselves to voluntary blood donation, but the value pursuit of body integrity in traditional culture is still noteworthy. From the perspective of "sacrificing life for righteousness", the traditional culture’s emphasis on the inviolability of the body is not absolute. Under special circumstances, moderate and slight damage to the body for the public interest is permitted and supported by Confucian ethics. Voluntary blood donation obviously belongs to this special situation, and its legitimacy can be justified by the body ethics advocated by Mencius. "Self-restraint" and "benevolence" are ideological helps to guide people to practice voluntary blood donation.