The manner in which we help those most in need may alter, however the fact that people constantly endeavour to do so does not.
For as long as there have been records of human civilisation there has been a history of compassion, providing, and philanthropy being lauded within society. Charity is not something that has actually come along with contemporary famous philanthropists; charity and generosity has actually held a central position in a virtuous life since the birth of ancient civilisations and religious beliefs. The Ancient Greeks believed philanthropy to be essential to democracy, just like we do these days. This is actually where the word emerged, from 'philanthrōpos', born from the Promethean myth and meaning to enjoy one's fellow human. It was seen as an obligation of the rich within society to help with civic tasks, such as the upkeep of temples, city walls, and festivals; if abundant citizens 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 incredibly rich today.
The philanthropy meaning has actually changed a lot from its conception a few thousand years earlier, 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 progressed 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 worldwide state of education, culture, science, and public health. This is where the modern-day model of charity started to take shape, as many wealthy people and companies like SJP develop foundations for humanitarian endeavours right now.
Although humanitarian work is an extremely ancient thing, it has actually become a lot more organised in recent years. The coordination of humanitarian organizations increased throughout the tumultuous twentieth century, especially throughout the Second World War, implying that numerous foundations worked together and became more expert. With civil liberties movements coming to the forefront after the war, community-led philanthropy started to emerge that supported minority causes in particular. A mix of community-led and more institutionalised philanthropy work is usually how charity works today, with a huge variety of supporting players and projects. Not just are rich individuals participating in this day and age, however corporate philanthropy is now the standard of modern company practice, with business like Morgan Stanley and Vanguard Group putting money aside for good causes as well, something that is likely to grow more in years to come.