The Science of Generosity

Research Program at the John Templeton Foundation: The Science of Generosity 

People demonstrate generosity in myriad ways, from gifts of time and money to everyday acts of kindness toward loved ones—and even to deeds that involve substantial self-sacrifice, like donating a kidney to a stranger. But we are often nowhere near as generous as we could (or even aspire to) be. In short: although we have the capacity to be generous, we don’t always act generously. What are the biological, psychological, and social factors that encourage people to give time, money, and assistance?

Read the full report on the science of generosity here.