Philanthropy - the love of humanity

Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity" — love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing and humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential."

In modern practical terms:

• Business - private initiatives for private good, focusing on material prosperity
• Government - public initiatives for public good, focusing on law and order
• Philanthropy - private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of life

Philanthropy is balancing the social-scientific aspect emphasized in the twentieth century, with the long-traditional and original humanist core of the word's ancient coinage.