What fundamental principle states that individuals should not suffer at the hands of others?

The correct answer focuses on the fundamental principle of virtue ethics, which emphasizes the importance of moral character and the role of individuals in moral decision-making. This ethical theory suggests that individuals should strive to cultivate virtues, such as compassion, kindness, and justice, which inherently lead to the avoidance of causing harm to others.

In the context of virtue ethics, individuals are urged to act in ways that promote the well-being of others, leading to a society where suffering is minimized. This is grounded in the belief that possessing virtuous qualities will guide individuals to make ethical choices that avoid inflicting pain or hardship upon others.

Considering the other ethical theories:

• Principalism refers to a framework that incorporates multiple ethical principles, such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, but does not specifically focus solely on the avoidance of harm.
• Deontology emphasizes rules and duties, asserting that certain actions are morally obligatory regardless of their consequences; while it does lead to the prevention of harm, its focus on rules may not capture the essence of individual moral character.
• Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on their outcomes, advocating for the greatest good for the greatest number. However, this approach may allow for the justification of harm to some individuals if it