Final answer:
The obligation to refrain from hurting others is known as the duty of non-maleficence, a fundamental concept in various ethical frameworks including the social contract and the Indian principle of ahimsa.
Step-by-step explanation:
The obligation to abstain from hurting others is known as the duty of non-maleficence. This moral tenet is grounded in ethical systems that prioritize the need to avoid causing harm or injury to other people or beings. Philosophically, this concept is also reflected in the idea of the social contract, which suggests that living in a society entails accepting certain moral and political obligations, including the avoidance of harm to others. In instances where moral duties conflict, such as the tension between always telling the truth and avoiding harm, an individual must carefully weigh the consequences and consider which action will result in the least harm. Ethical theories suggest the pursuit of alternatives that uphold the overarching principle of non-maleficence. This is similarly echoed in the ancient Indian principle of ahimsa, which advocates non-harm and non-violence in all aspects of life.