Final answer:
Negligence is defined as the failure to use reasonable and prudent care. It is related to the legal and ethical principle of nonmaleficence and is evident in various contexts, including medical, business, and insurance scenarios where harm may result from careless actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Negligence can be understood as the failure to use reasonable and prudent care, which can lead to harm or injury to others. The concept of negligence is heavily tied to the legal principle of nonmaleficence, which mandates that one should not cause harm to others. This is especially pertinent in medical and business contexts, as in the case where a surgeon must be paid for their services to avoid noncompliance with an employment agreement, or when a manufacturer is found liable for selling cars with known brake defects.
Furthermore, the notion of moral hazard plays a role in negligence, as it refers to individuals or businesses engaging in riskier behavior when they are insulated from risk through insurance, thereby potentially causing harm due to reduced preventative measures.