What is charity in terms of religion, science and culture?

In the scientific world, charity is defined as a moral and moral category and a social object. There are several areas in which this phenomenon is of great importance: firstly, in the Christian religion this is one of the central concepts, the value of which is equated to the concepts of "love" and "God." Then the charity paid attention to the artists, placing it as the central figure in some works. And, finally, charity is part of the conceptual apparatus of one of the philosophical disciplines - ethics, where morality and morality are studied .

Charity: the definition and its significance in the modern world

In the classical sense, charity is defined as a manifestation of compassion and kindness toward someone. In a simple understanding, charity is a concern, and in opposition to this concept indifference, cruelty, violence, maliciousness, etc. act.

Since ancient times, charity was one of the basic conditions of a hostel, where everyone took care of those who were next to him. The essence of charity is in the initiative, it can not be manifested by passivity, because it is realized in actions: providing help, support, and always aimed at alleviating the fate of another.

Today you can observe the manifestation of charity in giving alms, helping the underprivileged, treating people and animals free of charge. Philosophers and theologians have repeatedly raised the question of whether there are less merciful people and deeds: some believe that they are as many as before, while others believe that the number of kind charitable acts has become catastrophically less.

Next we will consider how the notion of mercy manifested itself in art, religion, and how it is understood by modern science.

What is charity in Christianity?

First of all, this is one of the main virtues of Christianity, which is closely related to the concept of love, which in this case is projected onto the neighbor.

In Christianity it is believed that loving your neighbor as yourself and manifesting this love in your deeds is the ultimate sacrifice that a person can bring to God and the whole world. In principle, here we can understand charity as the meaning of the life of any Christian, and it can not be said that this is just a dogma without practical significance, because generally accepted ethical norms are also based on this, although they are presented more scientifically in the scientific world, without regard for the spirituality of man, as This is in Christianity.

In this religion there is an exemplary list of cases that relate to charity. They are divided into two types: "spiritual" and "corporal":

• The following actions are attributed to the "spiritual" manifestation of charity: to convince potential sinners to abandon the intention to harm someone, to teach those who do not know the truth and good and to give timely advice if necessary, to pray to God for others, to console, forgive and not to take revenge.
• To the "bodily" manifestation of charity is attributed to such acts: to feed the hungry, to water, to give clothes to those who do not have it, to help those who are in prison, to visit the sick, to let travelers who seek temporary shelter into the house.

The main feature of charity in Christianity is to do good deeds without disclosure and boasting, and preferably so that those who receive help do not know who gives it, so that no one can praise or thank him.

What is charity in art and different cultures?

The theme of charity is also found in art, where plots and images are built on it. For example, in antiquity, this phenomenon was portrayed as a woman dressed in military armor with an olive branch, which from time immemorial was considered a symbol of peace.

In ancient China, there were five virtues, symbolized by a nephrite stone, and among them was mercy. In ancient Rome, under charity, understood, in the first place, the veneration of parents. His symbol was a pelican who, in legend, tore his chest to feed the hungry cubs.

What is charity from a scientific point of view?

In ethics, charity is divided into two components: the experience of someone else's pain and grief as their own, and at the same time help in getting rid of them.

What is charity from a scientific point of view is more difficult to define more precisely, because it is not so much a theoretical concept as a practical one, manifested first of all in real life.