Beneficence

Description

Beneficence means doing good, which is to be distinguished from not doing bad, i.e. non-maleficence. Beneficence is one of the 4 moral principles of biomedical ethics: Beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice. Beneficence is sometimes called supererogatory, i.e. morally good, but not (strictly) required.
At first glance the promotion of animal welfare may seem to be a supererogatory, benevolent moral act. This is because the term welfare is a euphemism (i.e. it sounds better than it is), and because most people have a tendency to moderate, even ignore or deny, the importance of compassion for animal welfare. The advocacy to reduce animal suffering, of course, is calling on the principle of non-maleficence. It is important to realize, however, that non-maleficence is not nearly as rewarding as beneficence, and that animal welfare is more than the reduction of animal suffering.

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