Philanthropy helps others in a selfless way, that is, without asking or expecting anything in return or wanting a future favor, it is an unconditional love and not for profit. The word comes from the Greek and means ‘love of humanity’. We can understand, then, that this altruistic feeling is not exclusive to a few rich people, but an attitude that can come naturally to everyone.
Several well-known personalities are ambassadors of social works or NGOs, develop solidarity projects or create health and education structures for disadvantaged children, but philanthropy is not only for the rich, it is not so much a matter of money, but of generosity, will, attention and mercy.
- Philanthropy is a feeling based on honest will.
- It consists in performing social actions.
- Giving or offering help that really promotes the improvement of the living conditions of others.
- In addition.
- As we have said.
- Without expecting further compensation.
Contrary to what many imagine, to help others we need much less than we think. At the most basic level, each of us can contribute, to a greater or lesser degree, to creating a more just and equal society. For example, simple things like saving water, recycling trash, or donating clothes, money, or food. All of this helps the most needy classes in our society. In this way, every drop makes a big difference in the ocean.
Professionals believe that there are two personal situations that increase the likelihood that a person will feel the need to empathize and help others, and based on these two characteristics there are two types of philanthropic profiles:
If we can’t give ourselves what we need, we’re unlikely to be able to help others, so it’s critical to know if we’re able to help, that is, if we have the tools, skills, and mental capacity. force to work positively with the cause.
The reason for philanthropy is everyone’s self-awareness, if we are not sure that we are helping to increase social balance it is better not to intervene, after all we can achieve the opposite, make things difficult and even worse.
You have to have good intentions. However, it is also important to have the necessary means for each case, adequate preparation and a group of professionals willing to help.
Many companies mistakenly define their social responsibility actions as business philanthropy, all companies have interests, especially economic ones, so it is clear that we cannot regard their actions as a gesture of detachment, this concept is more in line with the so-called third sector. That is, the one that is regulated by volunteering and is not for profit, nor is it a relationship with the government.
On the other hand, there is false altruism. It is a form of selfish benevolence that is exercised from an authoritarian and discriminatory position. It’s based on a corrupt idea of superiority: “Since I have more money or power than you, I give you alms. And thank you, because without them you’d be nothing? Be careful because it has nothing to do with philanthropy, but with an arrogant, depotic and tyrannical attitude.
The controversy over the world’s richest man, Microsoft owner Bill Gates, was particularly surprising and his attendance policy has been questioned. Many people began to doubt his philanthropic intentions, considering that his only goal was to improve the image of his company.
Not all charities are philanthropic, not all philanthropic acts are charitable. The difference is that as charity seeks relief, philanthropy tries to solve social problems once and for all.
“Give a man a fish and he’ll eat today. Give him a cane and teach him to fish and he’ll eat for the rest of his life. “Chinese proverb?
The opposite of philanthropy is misanthropy. That is, the tendency not to like everything that surrounds the human being. Misanthropes feel rejected not by one or more people, but by the entire human race. Their disgust is universal, they hate everyone.
However, many consider this to be a step before philanthropy, this idea is based on the belief that, to help others, it is absolutely necessary to recognize the injustices of the world as well as the humanitarian inability of people. that is, there are other beings who do not seek good and who, even when they try to help, do it wrong.
Therefore, only by being aware of the selfishness and greed of others can we achieve a genuine commitment to society and fight inequalities.