axiom of benevolence

The "axiom of benevolence" is a philosophical principle that suggests it is objectively good for more people to be well and happy. This idea was put forth by Henry More, a Cambridge Platonist, who sought to establish moral truths through reason, similar to mathematical axioms. More's axiom states that if it's good for one person to be happy, it's doubly good for two, and so on, aiming to extend individual well-being to a universal benevolence.1

This concept contrasts with egoism, which focuses on individual desires. More intended for reason to guide individuals beyond narrow self-interest towards a broader concern for others. The term "benevolent" itself comes from Latin roots meaning "good" and "to wish," reflecting a genuine desire for others' well-being. This principle is a cornerstone of ethical intuitionism, which posits that objective moral truths are knowable through rational intuition.12