Benevolence, by contrast, has nothing to do with suffering in sympathy.
Benevolence involves civility, sensitivity, and generosity. All of these
values are, I believe, compatible with intelligent self-interest. Actually
that puts it too weakly: In most circumstances benevolence is part of what
it takes to act in one's true self-interest. (I say "in most circumstances"
because this virtue may break down in extreme situations of survival.)
Benevolence forms parts of a rational, critical approach to values in a way
that compassion does not as far as I can see.
Max
Max More, Ph.D.
more@extropy.org
http://www.primenet.com/~maxmore
President, Extropy Institute: exi-info@extropy.org, http://www.extropy.org