In giving to charity, should we strive to do the greatest good or promote a lesser good? This is a unique collection of new papers on philanthropy from a range of philosophical perspectives, including intuitionism, virtue ethics, Kantian ethics, utilitarianism, theories of justice, and ideals of personal integrity.

So long as large segments of humanity are suffering chronic poverty and are dying from treatable diseases, organized giving can save or enhance millions of lives. With the law providing little guidance, ethics has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the philanthropic practices of individuals, foundations, NGOs, governments, and international agencies are morally sound and effective. In Giving Well: The Ethics of Philanthropy, an accomplished trio of editors bring together an international group of distinguished philosophers, social scientists, lawyers and practitioners to identify and address the most urgent moral questions arising today in the practice of philanthropy. The topics discussed include the psychology of giving, the reasons for and against a duty to give, the accountability of NGOs and foundations, the questionable marketing practices of some NGOs, the moral priorities that should inform NGO decisions about how to target and design their projects, the good and bad effects of aid, and the charitable tax deduction along with the water's edge policy now limiting its reach. This ground-breaking volume can help bring our practice of charity closer to meeting the vital needs of the millions worldwide who depend on voluntary contributions for their very lives.

"A good study book for philanthropists and those who study them. Religion gets a fair shake." -- Christian Century "Mike Martin has written a clear and wide-ranging book on ethical issues related to philanthropy that is rich in concrete examples." -- Ethics Writing for the general reader, Mike Martin explores the philosophic basis of philanthropy -- "virtuous giving." This book will be welcome reading for anyone who has pondered what caring and giving mean for a good society.

Besides helpful editorial material, this work includes ten papers that were presented in a seminar sponsored by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana Univ. (part of the IU School of Liberal Arts at Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Indianapolis). All of the essays address philanthropy--its definition, relationships, motives, forms, history, and precepts. Amy Kass discusses what philanthropy meant to Booker T. Washington: largely education in black self-help. What it meant to Jane Addams, Paul Pribbenow explains, is the common work of citizens. Secular standards for the morality of philanthropy are the subject of essays by Patricia Werhane and Paul Schervish, and by David Craig in the best of the essays. Religious standards for the moral aspects of philanthropy are the subject of essays by Elliot Dorff (Jewish), Philip Turner (Protestant), and John Langan (Catholic). David Hammack provides a fascinating history of American nonprofit organizations. The final essay by William Sullivan gives readers reason to worry because American inequality is increasing at the same time that effective, democratically based philanthropy is decreasing. Those who can learn much from this book include not only philanthropic givers and takers, such as foundation executives, college administrators, and church leaders, but also moral philosophers, theologians, and government officials. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. General Readers; Lower-division Undergraduates; Upper-division Undergraduates; Graduate Students; Researchers/Faculty; Professionals/Practitioners. Reviewed by J. M. Betz.

Argues that for the first time in history we're in a position to end extreme poverty throughout the world, both because of our unprecedented wealth and advances in technology, therefore we can no longer consider ourselves good people unless we give more to the poor. Reprint.