Beneficence

• Etymologically, comes from the

two Latin words:
› “bonus” where bene was taken
to mean “good”
› “fic” where fiche was taken to
mean “to act or do”.
• It refers to “action done for the
good of the others”.
• In the language of medicine,
this principles highlights the
duty of health provider to do
good and take positive steps,
such as prevention and
removal of harm to the patient.
• Beauchamp, Childress & Psyche believed that it could
be seen through associated acts of kindness, charity,
humanity, altruism & love.
• Beneficence was often thought to broadly include all
form of actions. (Benevolence & Provenance, intended
to benefit other persons.
• So, beneficence refers to an action done benefit others.
› Benevolence – refers to the character, trait or virtue of
being disposes to act for the benefit of others.
› Provenance – is the attentiveness dictated by
kindness to anticipate what one needs since each one of
us, has that inner goodness that pushes us to alleviate the
pain and discomfort to others.
• Therefore, Beneficence goes hand in hand with
benevolence and provenance.
 Beneficence: Obligatory and Ideal
Beneficence
• Some ethical theories like Utilitarianism are based on
the principle of beneficence. This means, that
goodness and kind-deed form the substratum of the
Utilitarian Theory.
• J. Bentham and W.D. Ross differ in the meaning of
beneficence yet they employed the term beneficence
as a positive obligation, to others, though some critics
denied this kind of beneficence for he holds that the
beneficence is a virtuous ideal/acts of charity, thus any
person therefore is not morally deficient if he/she failed
to act beneficently.
 Beneficence: Obligatory and Ideal
Beneficence

• Beneficence then is sometimes an admirable

ideal of action that exceeds obligation.
• Nobody denies that the Beneficient acts is
morally meritorious and therefore, morally
praiseworthy away from a personal obligation.
› Example: Donating one’s kidney to a
stranger.
 Beneficence: Obligatory and Ideal
Beneficence
• We are not morally required as morality dictates to perform
all possible acts of generosity or charity that will benefit
others. By this,
› Ideal Beneficence means going out of one’s way in order to
do good to others, while Beneficence, is merely goodness to
others without going out of one’s way.

› To sum up, Ideal Beneficence is benevolent act that involves

going out of one’s way to do good as that of Good Samaritan.

› Obligatory Beneficence is a mandatory act to do good and to

give aid to those who are in need.
 Practical Applications of the
Principle of Beneficence
• Protect and defend the right of others
• Prevent harm from occurring to others
• Remove conditions that will cause harm to others
• Help persons with disabilities
• Rescue persons in danger

* The principle of beneficence is already practice by Filipinos

by showing one’s goodness such as, delicate and generous
hospitality and this is shown in different situations like;
Sharing of goods & Lending of money, materials, equipment
and even human resources like bayanihan.