Final answer:
Negligence occurs when someone fails to take reasonable care to prevent harm or loss to others. This can involve a breach of duty in healthcare settings, as dictated by the principle of nonmaleficence, or in general behavior influenced by moral hazard where insurance leads to riskier behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Negligence is when an individual or entity fails to take reasonable care to avoid causing injury or loss to another person. Three key components of negligence include the duty of care, the breach of this duty, and the resulting harm. In the context of the principle of nonmaleficence, which is especially relevant in medical and healthcare settings, professional neglect could lead to harming patients if the necessary precautions or necessary levels of care are not properly adhered to. For instance, a doctor might be considered negligent if they prescribe a treatment without considering the potential harm it could cause to the patient or if they don't take effective measures to minimize the risks associated with the treatment.
The concept of moral hazard is also associated with negligence to some extent, as it describes situations where individuals may engage in riskier behavior when they do not bear the full cost of that behavior. An insured individual or entity might take more risks, assuming that any potential damage or loss will be covered by insurance. This can lead to negligent behavior, especially when the risks are not taken seriously due to a false sense of security provided by insurance coverage.
Negligence can also be seen through the lens of 'The Denial of Injury', where individuals might justify their negligent actions by believing that no harm was done, especially when the direct consequences are not immediately visible or impactful, which is a flawed justification and does not excuse negligent behavior.