Beneficence is best described as which of the following?

Prepare for the Matlock Bioethics Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions; each question provides hints and explanations. Get ready to ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

Beneficence is best described as which of the following?

Explanation:
Beneficence means actively promoting the welfare of others and taking actions that benefit patients—doing good and supporting their health, comfort, and overall well-being. This captures the duty to help and improve outcomes, not just avoid harm. The other ideas map to different ethical notions: not harming others is nonmaleficence; respecting patient choices is autonomy; and maximizing happiness reflects a broader utilitarian aim rather than the specific obligation of beneficence. So doing good and promoting well-being best describes beneficence in practice.

Beneficence means actively promoting the welfare of others and taking actions that benefit patients—doing good and supporting their health, comfort, and overall well-being. This captures the duty to help and improve outcomes, not just avoid harm. The other ideas map to different ethical notions: not harming others is nonmaleficence; respecting patient choices is autonomy; and maximizing happiness reflects a broader utilitarian aim rather than the specific obligation of beneficence. So doing good and promoting well-being best describes beneficence in practice.

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