autonomy & beneficience

Autonomy

(Respect for Persons / Informed Consent)

____ is the right of individuals to

make their own decisions based on their

values, beliefs, and preferences — free

from coercion.

It is the principle of self-governance,

self-rule, and personal freedom.

Auto

self

Nomos

Rule/law

Understanding

Grasps relevant information

Deliberation

Weighs pros and cons

Voluntary choice

Free decision without force

Beneficience

(Doing Good / Promoting Well-being)

_____ means doing good, acting

for the benefit of others, and promoting

their welfare.

It includes kindness, compassion, altruism, and helpfulness

Bene

Good

Ficere

To act/do > to do good

Benevolence

Character/virtue of wanting to do good

Provenance

Attentiveness to others’ needs

Obligatory Beneficience

Required in emergency or needed situations.

Example:

Providing emergency care to a person

who collapses.

Protecting patient rights (ex: explaining

surgery risks beforehand).

Preventing harm (ex: raising siderails,

using gloves for infection control).

Ideal Beneficience

Going beyond duty; morally praiseworthy.

Example:

A nurse accompanies a fainted person to

the hospital and stays after duty hours.