In episode 62, we chat to Andrew Rudd from the University of Exeter about representations of charity and philanthropy in literature and how literature and the humanities can inform practice. Including:
- Which famous authors and poets have written about charity issues?
- What are some of the main positive themes about charity & philanthropy that can we identify in literature?
- What are some of the key critical themes about charity & philanthropy that can we identify in literature?
- What have famous writers said about the distinction between charity and justice?
- The tension between head and heart, between an emphasis on empathy and rationality, has long been a major source of debate within charity. What has literature had to say about it?
- What was Dicken's notion of "telescopic philanthropy" and why does it remain pertinent to debates about international aid today?
- The idea of poorly-aimed, 'indiscriminate' charity that perpetuates poverty and reliance has been a huge source of concern for many throughout history. How is this reflected in literature?
- Has any literature notably influenced public discourse, politics or the way charities operate? If so, how?
- Does the study of literature and the humanities currently play a significant role within the wider academic study of philanthropy? If not, why not?
- Can philanthropists and people who work in the charity/non-profit sector learn anything from literature? If so, what?
- How can practitioners best find and make use of insights from literature?
- Which current issues facing charities and philanthropy would most benefit from some literary insight?
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