Publisher's Synopsis
Principle of Beneficence holds an important role in economics. It is regarded as part of welfare which determines the profit over the loss for a locality, or a state, or a country. A nation's overall development depends to a certain extent on these different criteria based on the Principle of Beneficence which not only includes financial profit but also sociopolitical development. Sociopolitical development also includes the development and welfare of education, health, etc. Thus beneficial productivity arises from the overall welfare. However, in this research, I would concentrate only on the Moral Concern of the Principle of Beneficence. Moral philosophy plays an important role in formulating ethical theories. It is an inquiry of rules, principles, and virtues that guide human action. Among them, the Principle of Beneficence is an established one. The word Beneficence is derived from its Latin origin 'bene' which means well or good and 'facene' means to do, whereas benevolence is coined from 'bene' and 'volens' which implies a strong wish or disposition. Generally, the term beneficence connotes acts of mercy, kindness, and charity. It implies love, humanity, and promoting the good of others. In the field of morality, the principle of beneficence evokes some normative meanings, i.e. some moral obligation to act for others' benefit, helping them by promoting collective welfare and often by preventing or removing possible harms. The principle of beneficence stands as an obligation to act for the benefit of others by preventing and removing harm, by promoting other's good and also by balancing an action's possible goods against its cost and possible harm. So, generally, beneficence refers to do an action to benefit others, whereas, benevolence is regarded as a virtue or good character trait of being disposed to act to benefit others. Beneficence acts are done from a benevolent disposition of mind. Benevolence is regarded as a virtue of being disposed to act for the benefit of others. In this study, I try to explore the foundations of the moral notion of beneficence by analyzing its historical background. While critically analyzing the historical background, I confront with some basic questions, such as: Whether beneficence towards others is inspired by self-beneficence or self-love? How much and in what sense self-love is morally permissible?,
