A quick chronicle of philanthropy throughout two thousand years

A quick chronicle of philanthropy throughout two thousand years

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Charity and philanthropy have been important parts of a healthy and working society for thousands of years now.

Most of us will acknowledge and value the role that famous philanthropists play in helping the world in this day and age, passing on their hard-earned fortunes to assist those who need it most. For a great deal of the wealthiest people and organisations right now, charity is a chance to put their earnings towards a great cause. This is not simply something limited to the 21st century either, it has actually been the case for countless years. Charity and benevolence were considered a central part of a good life and a healthy society, with the Ancient Greeks believing philanthropy to be vital to functioning democracy. It was here that the word itself stemmed, meaning 'man-loving' in its initial form. It was seen as a requirement of the wealthy to share their wealth for the wellness of the society, with rich residents aiding with public causes like the upkeep of temples and city walls or funding public celebrations. We might not call it a duty as such today, however those who do not engage with charity in any kind will certainly see their reputations suffer.

As one might anticipate of anything throughout 2 thousand years, philanthropy meaning has developed throughout the ages, and so has its focus. Following the middle ages, the primary source of philanthropic responsibility moved from spiritual organizations like the church to wealthy individuals. Concurrently, the focus of philanthropy shifted towards the towns and cities rather from the impoverished countryside. Throughout the following centuries, business owners accepted a sense of responsibility towards those in need, particularly throughout and after durations of war and upheaval which left many households having a hard time. Towards completion of the 19th century we began to see the establishment of philanthropic businesses like foundations to help handle huge issues, much like the one established by SJP now.

Throughout the most difficult moments in human history, charity has constantly existed to provide a helping hand to those in dire need. This was particularly real throughout the twentieth century, when personal philanthropy continued to support troops throughout the World Wars and their families who were left behind. During the 2nd World War in particular, foundations started to interact and ended up being more professional. This is much the same structure as charity work takes these days, with a network of business and people interacting to fund and enact projects, although the range and scope of philanthropic jobs is much more ambitious. Some foundations are handling substantial international issues through their work, and corporate philanthropy is now the standard of modern business practices with companies like Vanguard Group and Morgan Stanley adding to the process.