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.
