Beneficence is the act of doing good, being kind or
charitable; it includes all actions intended to benefit others. In bioethics
the two words are entirely different and the principle of beneficence refers to
a moral obligation to act for the benefit of others - most acts of beneficence
are therefore in some way obligatory. Beneficence
may be considered to include four components: (1) one ought not to inflict evil
or harm (sometimes called the principle of nonmaleficence); (2) one ought to
prevent evil or harm; (3) one ought to remove evil or harm; and (4) one ought
to do or promote good.
Kindheartedness is sympathy arising from a
kind heart; having a kind disposition.
Generosity is the quality of being
kind and generous; the quality or fact of being plentiful or large.
Munificence is liberality in bestowing
gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit.
Altruism is unselfish concern.
Magnanimity means munificence;
liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit. (This is where we start going round in
circles and discover a number of the words are entirely synonymous.) But
magnanimity can also mean courageously noble in spirit and heart; generous in
forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness.
The above words are all still
currently in use. Sadly a word that
means benevolent in speech – benedicence – has fallen out of use. Perhaps nowadays we are more inclined to do
good than to speak kindly.
I had not come across the word munificence before, but I like your explanation of how it differs from magnanimity. Sad indeed that benedicence has fallen out ouf use.
ReplyDeleteMany of the words do seem to help define each other -- yet i wonder how benevolent a person is if their beneficence is forced. If i'm understanding the differences between these correctly.
ReplyDeleteThe root of the word 'benevolence' is quite interesting. It literally means the money the lords are required to give to the king. It was first imposed by Edward IV in the late 1400s, who "asked" his subjects to donate money as a gesture of good will.
ReplyDelete"Benevolence" has an interesting origin. It was originally a required payment to a king, first imposed by Edward IV in the late 1400s, as "token of good will." What a guy!
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