I clearly said that my issue was not the xxx xxx xxx (nor do I wish to make an issue about the number of x’s). Are you asserting that “millionaires” is an accurate part of a Steinbeck quote?
x xxxxx xxxx xxx xx xxx xxxx xx xxxx x xxxxx xxxx xxx xx xxxxx xxx xxxxx xxx xxx.
xxxx xx xxxxxxx, xxx xxxx xx xxxxx xxxxxx.
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I reported that.
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Why the hell is Poly bringing up millionaires? Philanthropy is widespread, and is common at all income levels. I suspect that’s true across cultures, too.
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It’s interesting, that causes me to consider the semantic differences between “philanthropy” and “charity”
At the macro level, I think of philanthropy as a systemic approach to societal problems, whereas charity is more focused and situational. Working with a local food bank is charitable, but investing in a neighborhood employment or educational program is philanthropic. This is an important distinction for organizations.
At the individual level, however, I would say the distinction becomes much less relevant. I think a person who gives their time, talents, and/or treasure (common speak in the nonprofits space) is both philanthropic and charitable regardless of the specific investment, as being philanthropic is more about a mindset of caring for humankind and less about the ways in which they do so.
A philanthropist is, of course, a more specific term and involves scale.
I think of “charity” as being short for “charitable love”, which is a translation of the term “agape” in the Christian Bible.
I think of “philanthropy” as being an extension of the greco-roman practice of the wealthy supporting the city state in return for honor and power.
It is the nature of charity to subvert social hierarchies of power. It is in the nature of philanthropy to support those same hierarchies.
I would have thought the opposite. Your local soup kitchen reinforces social hierarchies. Reducing the global impact of malaria overthrows social hierarchies.
Ooh, a cryptoquote!!
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That probably depends on the kinds of stories told about these acts.
Very often, the philanthropy of very wealthy individuals is used to make the attainment of their wealth seem more just, or at least to divert attention from the ruthlessness, luck, and systemic unfairness that aided that attainment.
