208 | ASIA ONE | JULY-AUGUST 2018
corporate social responsibility
BENEVOLENCE – THE BASIC
PREMISE OF HUMANITY
Benevolence is an intrinsic aspect
of the human nature. The term
‘Benevolence’ has myriad denotations
like warmth, friendliness, compassion,
ordinary decency, fair play, kindness,
altruism, generosity, and love. It simply
means having good intentions towards
living beings. A benevolent heart
leans toward others; it is not neutral
or indifferent and benevolence is the
opposite of ill will, coldness, prejudice,
cruelty, and aggression. It is a widely
acknowledged fact that benevolence
is extensively praised — from parents
telling children to share their toys to
saints preaching the Golden Rule
— because it is the very premise
of humanity. Benevolence curtails
quarrels, builds trust, and is the best-
odds strategy to get good treatment
in return. Benevolence within and
between nations promotes the rule
of law, educates children, feeds the
hungry, supports human rights, offers
humanitarian aid, and works for peace
and benevolence towards our planet
tries to protect the endangered species
and reduce global warming.
The bottom-line is that benevolence
is good for individuals, relationships,
nations, and the world as a whole.
The fact that benevolence is often
enlightened self-interest makes it no
less warm-hearted and virtuous. And
at this time in history when individuals
feel increasingly stressed and isolated,
when relationships often stand on shaky
ground, when international conflicts
are fueled by dwindling resources
and increasingly lethal weapons, and
when humanity is dumping over 9
billion tons of carbon each year into
the atmosphere (which is almost
synonymous to throwing 5 billion cars
a year up into the sky, most of which
stay there) — benevolence is not just
moral, it’s essential. Moreover, we
cannot forget the fact that benevolence
has buoyed us along as we all have been
nurtured and protected by friends and
family, humanity altogether, and the
biosphere.THE ART OF GIVING
One of the major philanthropic
platforms is the ‘The Giving Pledge’
which is a commitment by the world’s
wealthiest individuals and families to“We feel very lucky to have the
chance to work together in giving
back the resources we are stewards
of. By joining the Giving Pledge effort,
we’re certain our giving will be more
effective...” - Bill & Melinda gates
dedicate the majority of their wealth
to giving back. The Giving Pledge
is an effort to help address society’s
most pressing problems by inviting
the world’s wealthiest individuals and
families to commit to giving more than
half of their wealth to philanthropy or
charitable causes either during their
lifetime or in their will. 40 of America’s
wealthiest individuals and couples
joined together in August 2010, in a
commitment to give more than half of
their wealth away. Conceptualized by
Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren
Buffett, the Giving Pledge came to
life following a series of conversations
with philanthropists around the world
about how they could collectively set a
new standard of generosity among the
ultra-wealthy.
A simple concept, The Giving Pledge
is an open invitation for billionaires,
or those who would be if not for their
giving, to publicly dedicate the majority
of their wealth to philanthropy. And