Endowment (philosophy)

Endowment is a concept in philosophy that refers to human capacities and abilities which can be naturally or socially acquired.

[3] This includes Stephen Covey's human endowments, which are self-awareness, imagination, willpower, abundance mentality, courage, creativity, and self-renewal.

Each individual consists of their own body and mind from birth until they become socially incorporated in communities where culture is learned and communal living is inevitable.

[4]: xxvi, 241 The biological and cultural evolution is an ongoing process that shapes similarities and distinctive human attributes.

Biological evolution is determined by genes or hereditary, which naturally gives individuals the ability to speak the language of their associated communities.

[8]: 5  Cultural evolution is the process where beliefs and a community's way of living is passed down to generations which includes their spoken language.

[10] Aristotle shows the natural existence of communities and states due to individuals' innate capacities to live together.

Spinoza's idea of necessity as part of human endowment is connected to God or nature which is the only existing substance.

Principles are external natural laws that determines the consequences of individual behaviour caused by their internal values.

[12] Humans natural capacities include the innate ability to realise what is necessary and act through reasoning and make decisions.

This stems from humans' dependency as part of their innate capacities which cannot be separated from nature or God.

[15] The social construction of communities and states is a result of individuals' realisation that living together in a civilised manner is necessary for survival.

[1] Social endowment includes conscience as part of individuals' learned ability to distinguish between what is right and wrong.

[16] This moral decision is a reflection of rules and laws in place to govern a certain group people or society.

The set of rules in place is a result of social endowment where individuals distinguishes between acceptable and inappropriate behaviour.

Living in a polity requires individuals to follow certain rules and way of life which becomes part of their social endowment.