Endowment (philosophy)

This article is about individual human capabilities. For other uses, see Endowment (disambiguation).

Endowment is a concept in philosophy that refers to human capacities and abilities which can be naturally or socially acquired.[1] Natural endowment is biologically analysed.[1] It is examined through individual genes or inborn abilities. Social endowment is explored through the culture and ethics of human lives in their communities.[1]

Natural and social endowment can be used to explain the behaviour of individuals.[2] This natural and social distinction exemplifies individuals' positions within communities. The differences in human capacities enables diverse perceptions towards a similar situation.[3] This includes Stephen Covey's human endowments, which are self-awareness, imagination, willpower, abundance mentality, courage, creativity, and self-renewal.[3]

The philosophical studies of human nature or endowment is outlined in the theories of medieval philosophers on human evolution such as; Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Aristotle, and Baruch Spinoza.[4]

  1. ^ a b c Griffiths, Paul (2020), "The Distinction Between Innate and Acquired Characteristics", in Zalta, Edward N. (ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2020 ed.), Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University, retrieved 2020-05-28
  2. ^ Weisfeld, Glenn E. (1986). "Teaching about Sex Differences in Human Behavior and the Biological Approach in General". Politics and the Life Sciences. 5 (1): 36–43. doi:10.1017/S073093840000160X. ISSN 0730-9384. JSTOR 4235480. S2CID 142425188.
  3. ^ a b Covey, Stephen R. The 7 habits of highly effective people. ISBN 978-1-7971-1508-5. OCLC 1152892486.
  4. ^ Ward, Ann (2009). Matter and Form: from natural science to political philosophy. Lanham, Md.: Lexington Books. ISBN 978-0-7391-3568-6.