The Duties of Private Donors

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the philanthropist as one kind of private actor. It argues that the philanthropist's duty to give should be understood neither as an imperfect duty of beneficence nor as a conclusive duty of justice, but rather as a transitional and provisional duty of reparative justice in contemporary societies. It also explains a duty that is “transitional,” as it should eventually be taken over by public institutions, or “provisional,” for in the absence of just institutions its fulfilment is simultaneously demanded by individual independence. The chapter explains why the duty is “reparative” as it is grounded on the wealthy's liability for wrongful harm to the poor. It discusses the funding of justice through private philanthropy and the provision of justice through private organizations.