Keep reading for a brief outline of the manner ins which charity has actually developed over the centuries, and how it continues to evolve nowadays.
For as long as there have been records of human civilisation there has been a history of compassion, offering, and philanthropy being lauded within society. Charity is not something that has come along with contemporary famous philanthropists; charity and generosity has actually held a central position in a virtuous life since the birth of ancient civilisations and faiths. The Ancient Greeks believed philanthropy to be essential to democracy, just like we do now. This is really where the word originated, from 'philanthrōpos', born from the Promethean tale and meaning to enjoy one's fellow human. It was viewed as an obligation of the rich within society to assist with civic duties, such as the maintenance of temples, city walls, and festivals; if abundant citizens neglected to share their wealth, they were at serious threat of being ostracised from the community by both their monetary peers and those of a lower socio-economic standing. One might be able to see echoes in the expectations that individuals have of the incredibly rich right now.
The philanthropy meaning has actually changed a lot from its conception a few thousand years earlier, as has the focus of charity and who is accountable for it. After the Middle Ages and its rural feudalism the focus of philanthropy shifted towards the towns and cities, and spiritual organizations stopped being the primary source of charity work. Throughout the following centuries, philanthropic values progressed to the point that there was a perception of public duty to those in need, particularly after durations of war and upheaval. It was not up until completion of the 19th century, however, that philanthropy began to take up a form more reminiscent of contemporary charity, whereupon more institutionalised philanthropic businesses like foundations had a far-reaching effect on the international state of education, culture, science, and public health. This is where the contemporary design of charity began to take shape, as numerous rich individuals and business like SJP develop foundations for philanthropic endeavours nowadays.
Although philanthropic work is an extremely ancient thing, it has become a lot more organised in recent years. The coordination of philanthropic organizations increased throughout the tumultuous twentieth century, particularly throughout the 2nd World War, implying that different foundations worked together and became more expert. With civil liberties movements coming to the forefront after the war, community-led philanthropy began to emerge that supported minority causes in particular. A mix of community-led and more institutionalised philanthropy work is usually how charity works today, with a huge variety of supporting players and projects. Not just are wealthy individuals taking part in this day and age, however corporate philanthropy is now the standard of modern company practice, with business like Morgan Stanley and Vanguard Group putting money aside for good causes also, something that is most likely to grow more in years to come.