What is philanthropy? This is something you can learn

How today to distinguish true charity and philanthropy from false? First you need to understand what kind of philanthropy is in general. Is this a way to achieve one's own goals or a character trait that every real person should have? Can people love to learn and how? How is it different from philanthropy?

What is philanthropy?

Philanthropy is a concept that embraces a love for humanity, a willingness to help people in a difficult life situation, humanity of the world outlook and the ability to commit acts of self-sacrifice for the sake of another. It simultaneously includes the ordinary humanity, that is, the potential presence of the people around them with a kind, unbiased attitude towards other persons, the absence of anger towards them.

Philanthropy is in many respects a philosophical category. It has been known to the world since time immemorial and has always been regarded as a blessing; So, the examples of manifestation of philanthropy existing in history are set as an example for the younger generation, and the elders are valued and respected.

What is philanthropy?

Philanthropy is a more narrowly focused concept, which includes the fulfillment of charitable assistance specifically for the needy, as well as the implementation of support in the name of a general rise in the standard of living. The term was widely used in the Enlightenment; Later, depending on the country and the policies pursued in it, the concept was filled with various contents and was constantly changing.

For a philanthropist, true philanthropy is not always characteristic: one has to turn to works of culture in order to understand this. For example, in the famous cycle of Harry Potter books by author Joan Rowling, Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, donated generous amounts to the Ministry of Magic, but as a result, this did not prevent him from performing in the war on the side of evil. The same can be found in the cycle "Song of Ice and Fire", on which the famous television series "The Game of Thrones" was filmed. Here, one of the heroines, Margery Tyrell, used charity and help to the needy in order to create in the public eye the image of an ideal queen, improve her image and raise her authority.

Similarities and differences

From the sections described above it becomes obvious that love for man is by no means always identical with philanthropy, which often serves as a cover for the achievement of one's own, usually publicly blamed and unworthy goals. The famous British writer Oscar Wilde generally believed that it is impossible to lean too heavily on philanthropy, otherwise you will lose all love for a person. By the mouth of one of his book heroes, Lord Henry, he said: "Philanthropists, being carried away by charity, lose all humanity".

Today, there is an increasing growth of "toxic charity" - a destructive branch of philanthropy, whose participants are not guided by their own internal principles and views during the provision of assistance, support, participation in socially useful actions. They do this in order to cash in on more trusting citizens who are ready to immediately donate money to the newly created fund simply because everyone does it. In this case, philanthropy is not help, but harm for the whole charitable movement.

Whatever it was, modern history knows the real examples of manifestation of selfless and not requiring anything in return for mercy and compassion.

An example of philanthropy in life ... And not even one!

Sympathy was shown by the military attendant R. Barnett, who in 2003 was sealed with the child in his arms. It would seem that there is unusual? The thing is, everything happened in Iraq, and the child was not Richard. The baby's family died in a shootout.

The following example is striking in how philanthropy can help to abandon the bloody enmity that has lasted for years. For example, there is a photo in the Global Network where doctors with dark skin color are rescued by a representative of the Ku Klux Klan, a community whose main principle is discrimination and fighting against black people.

One more case: in 2013 in Egypt the most ordinary woman was the only one standing in front of a wounded demonstrator, on whom a military bulldozer was moving, to protect the young man literally with his body.

Another surviving photo depicts a French soldier who helps a Spanish woman and her children bring their belongings to a safe place after they crossed the border during the 1938 civil war.

One of the historical photos managed to capture a German soldier who bandages a wounded Russian girl in a trench. The time of creation of the picture is 1941.

By the way, today there are numerous cases of humanity manifestation in wartime, not only in relation to people, but also to the four-legged friends of man. So, in one of the photos, American soldiers with care bandages the wounds of the dog. The picture was taken in 1944. Similarly, the animal, but, in this case, already a kitten, was helped by Frank Preutor. In the photo, he feeds the kitten from a pipette, which was procured somewhere, since the mother of the newborn died under fire, and there was nobody to take care of him. This is the war in Korea, 1953.

Famous citations of philosophers and cultural figures about philanthropy

Thanks to the examples given, it becomes clear that philanthropy is a much broader concept than it may seem at first glance. In fact, it is a love for any manifestation of life in general, the ability to compassion, come to the rescue when it is necessary, to reject prejudices and extend a saving hand.

Philosophers and people of art spoke of mercy so:

• "Humanity is a meaningful feeling, only the upbringing of it develops and strengthens." (Claude Adrian Helvetius).
• "To prevail against oneself and return to what is proper in oneself is what true humanity is: it is up to us to be human or not to be." (Confucius).
• "In everything and always showing humanity, we will forever remember the memory of our appearance." (George Alexandrov).

Summarizing

Is it possible to learn humanity? Of course. It's never too late to start. There is no one who was originally born either good or bad. The way a person will become depends only on what he wants to become, on what seeds of qualities and properties he will plant in his own soul.