To study the philanthropic tradition is to trace the social history of the moral imagination. This essay looks at the development of the philanthropic tradition by comparing it to the history of the Christian tradition. Particular attention is given to the elements of vision, shared values, organization, and resources. This essays discusses general education and the relevance of the liberal arts to philanthropy. The eternally recurring question is, what kind of education is best-suited to encourage and advance the struggle to achieve the good life and the good society.
American philanthropy is described as a mosaic of cultural influence.
This essay focuses on some of the best known figures in the history of American philanthropy. Written in 1995, it concludes with speculation about the impact on George Soros on the future of central and eastern europe.