According to Greek philosophers benevolence is essentially a practical virtue. Differentiating it from friendship, Aristotle defines benevolence as “wanting the good of the friend for himself”. By virtue of being the intimate gratuitousness that characterizes it, the benevolence considered an attribute in medieval reflection will be properly divine, to which man can strive or aspire to promote the growth of the other and of society.

Contemporary reflection emphasizes the breadth of the notion of benevolence, which becomes an object of interest on the part of sociologists, economists and psychologists. Some highlight the utilitarian root of benevolence, concluding that helping others is intimately connected with personal happiness, others underline the original gratuitousness of benevolence as a willingness to perform acts that selflessly promote the good of another.

The widespread diffusion of the gift culture has produced an increase in public and private donations, especially in the USA, with great benefit for medical and health research. In Europe, the culture of giving is growing, and is beginning to establish itself as a significant reality, especially in some countries such as the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland.

Donations in the field of medical and health research have led to some of the most important discoveries of the last century, including penicillin, insulin, the polio vaccine, kidney transplants and today they support much of the research against cancer.