When society wants to protect human beings from potential harm, it is concerned with the ethics principle of ___.

When society wants to protect human beings from potential harm, it is concerned with the ethics principle of ___.

• A. Autonomy
• B. Nonmaleficence
• C. Beneficence
• D. Justice

Answer: (B)

Nonmaleficence is the idea that we should avoid causing harm and take steps to prevent harm to others. When society aims to protect people from potential harm, it enforces safety measures, risk controls, and precautionary actions that minimize danger in daily life, healthcare, and public policy. This principle is about shielding individuals from harm rather than actively promoting good (beneficence) or prioritizing personal choice (autonomy) or fair treatment (justice). For example, setting safety standards, regulating hazardous products, or delaying a medical intervention until its risks are outweighed by benefits all reflect a commitment to nonmaleficence.

Nonmaleficence is the idea that we should avoid causing harm and take steps to prevent harm to others. When society aims to protect people from potential harm, it enforces safety measures, risk controls, and precautionary actions that minimize danger in daily life, healthcare, and public policy. This principle is about shielding individuals from harm rather than actively promoting good (beneficence) or prioritizing personal choice (autonomy) or fair treatment (justice). For example, setting safety standards, regulating hazardous products, or delaying a medical intervention until its risks are outweighed by benefits all reflect a commitment to nonmaleficence.