Which term best defines beneficence in ethics?

• A. all forms of action intended to benefit others...taking action to incur benefit
• B. refrain from causing harm, injury, or wrongdoing
• C. duty to treat according to client's desires within bounds of standards of care & protection of confidential information
• D. emphasizing justice and fairness in resource distribution

Answer: (A)

Beneficence is about actively doing good for others—taking positive actions that promote their welfare. The description that says all forms of action intended to benefit others, taking action to incur benefit, captures this idea precisely: it focuses on purposeful acts aimed at improving another person’s well-being.

This differs from non-maleficence, which is simply about not causing harm. It also differs from duties tied to autonomy and confidentiality, which center on respecting a client’s choices and protecting information rather than actively promoting good. And it’s distinct from justice in resource distribution, which concerns fair allocation across people rather than individual benevolent actions.