Philosophers have neglected philanthropy, dealing with it piecemeal or to illustrate abstract moral principles. Writing for the general reader, Mike W. Martin explores the philosophic basis of virtuous giving. After developing a unifying conception of philanthropy, Martin investigates a number of important questions. Does philanthropy express certain virtues? If so, what is their role? Is there a responsibility to engage in philanthropic activity? Do motives matter?

How might philanthropy make a contribution to self-fulfillment? Martin's book will be welcome reading for anyone who has pondered what caring and giving mean for a good society.

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Most philanthropy occurs through participation in social activities such as donating blood, contributing to hunger relief, or volunteering in hospitals or museums. When guided by the virtues, these actions further our ideals for communities by expressing our vision of a good society. In Martin's view, these philanthropic virtues are many, among them generosity and compassion, courage and conscientiousness, faith and fairness, wisdom and moral creativity.

Martin also identifies philanthropic responsibilities. Some derive from the duty of mutual aid to help people in life-threatening situations, others from the requirement of reciprocity, and still others from personal commitments to higher ideals. Most human actions have multiple motives, and philanthropy is no exception. But Martin notes that admixtures of self-interest in giving need not be objectionable and may even be desirable in strengthening our efforts to help.

He acknowledges that philanthropy breeds paradoxes: in giving we receive; self-surrender to good causes is liberating; we find ourselves by losing ourselves in service to others. Though easily abused as rationalizations for exploiting people, these paradoxes contain insights into how virtuous giving can promote self-fulfillment.