Keep reading for a quick summary of the manner ins which charity has evolved over the centuries, and how it continues to progress now.
For as long as there have been records of human civilisation there has actually been a history of generosity, giving, and philanthropy being admired within society. Charity is not something that has actually come with modern famous philanthropists; charity and kindness has held a main position in a virtuous life ever since the birth of ancient civilisations and religions. The Ancient Greeks thought philanthropy to be vital to democracy, similar to we do right now. This is in fact where the word came from, from 'philanthrōpos', born from the Promethean myth and suggesting to like one's fellow human. It was seen as a commitment of the wealthy within society to aid with civic responsibilities, such as the upkeep of temples, city walls, and celebrations; if rich people neglected to share their wealth, they were at grave 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 people have of the exceptionally wealthy today.
The philanthropy meaning has actually changed a lot ever since its conception a few thousand years back, as has the focus of charity and who is responsible for it. After the Middle Ages and its rural feudalism the focus of philanthropy moved towards the towns and cities, and religious organizations stopped being the primary source of charity work. Throughout the following centuries, philanthropic values developed to the point that there was a perception of public obligation to those in need, particularly after periods of war and upheaval. It was not till the end of the 19th century, however, that philanthropy started to take on a form more similar to modern charity, whereupon more institutionalised philanthropic businesses like foundations had a far-reaching influence on the global state of education, culture, science, and public health. This is where the modern-day model of charity began to take shape, as lots of wealthy people and business like SJP establish foundations for humanitarian endeavours right now.
Although humanitarian work is an exceptionally ancient thing, it has ended up being a lot more organised in the last few years. The coordination of philanthropic institutions increased throughout the turbulent twentieth century, particularly during the 2nd World War, meaning that different foundations interacted and became more professional. 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 normally how charity works today, with a huge range of supporting players and projects. Not just are rich individuals taking part in this day and age, however corporate philanthropy is now the standard of modern-day business practice, with companies like Morgan Stanley and Vanguard Group putting money aside for good causes as well, something that is likely to develop more in years to come.