Thoughts About Philanthropy

If you looked up the word "Philanthropy" in Dictionary.com you would find the following definition - "altruistic (unselfish) concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes."  Sounds exactly like what we imagine in our minds when we hear the word.  Philanthropy is typically a respected thing to do and by performing philanthropic things, a person can add another element of themselves to their professional resume.  Resume?  Does the performance of a philanthropic act allow us to advance professionally?  If so, who is the one actually benefiting from the philanthropy?

There are people out there that are true givers.  These people don't even known why there is a word to describe these acts because to them it is a natural act, something that is simply part of their being.  They feel true compassion, from their souls, for the targets of their actions.  To them it is not a sacrifice they make out of their normal routine, not a quota they need to meet to achieve a goal, nor is it something they do to feel like they are helping and contributing to a better good.  It is just who they are.  Take away the feelings, the money, the sense of achievement or any other motivating factor and these people would still be there doing it.

In the much bigger scope of life, and perhaps specifically for humanity, misplaced philanthropy works against nature.  We have all heard the various clichés such as "a chain is only a strong as its weakest link" and "a herd of buffalo will only move as fast as the slowest buffalo".  These types of theories can also apply to the human race.  The process of natural selection can be healthy for a species.  It allows for that species to rid itself of a certain amount of societal burdens.  The species as a whole is made stronger by allowing the weaker elements to be consumed by the process of natural selection.  Is this cruel thinking?  It is natural, it is life.  Life does not care about equality and fairness but does care about balance.  Life does not care about anything or anyone, but it will let you make out of it anything that you are strong enough to.

Today's societies spend a great deal of energy and resources on encouraging and promoting philanthropy.  Some businesses recommend it to their employees with the implication that it will provide professional growth in the company.  Giving is something that comes from the heart and not all people are interested in supporting the same efforts.  In fact a person may be completely against a certain cause.  In some cases well meaning philanthropic efforts only keep the burdens of society in a position to continue to be a burden.  The same is also true for a number of government programs that only "prop up" the weak and non-contributing elements of society.  In either case this allows for there to be fewer resources available for the advancement of those same societies. 

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.  Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.