Iyilik

Iyilik is a Turkish noun meaning "goodness" or "kindness," formed from the adjective iyi ("good") with the abstract noun suffix -lik. It denotes moral quality, benevolent action, or the state of being beneficial to others. As a concept, iyilik covers a range of behaviors and attitudes including charity, compassion, altruism, generosity, and neighborly assistance.

In everyday language, iyilik appears in common expressions such as iyilik yapmak (to do good) and iyilik olsun (may it be for good), reflecting social expectations of reciprocal help and hospitality. The term is used in personal, familial, communal, and institutional contexts—from informal favors to organized philanthropy and social welfare initiatives.

Philosophically and ethically, iyilik aligns with broader ideas of moral goodness and prosocial behavior. It is emphasized across many cultural and religious traditions in Turkey and elsewhere, where it is associated with duties to help the vulnerable and promote social harmony. Psychological and sociological research on related behaviors—altruism, empathy, cooperation—examines the motives, benefits, and social conditions that foster acts described as iyilik.

In literature and public discourse, iyilik is often invoked as an ideal or guiding value, balancing individual interests with communal wellbeing. The term remains central to conversations about civic responsibility, charitable practice, and everyday interpersonal ethics.