Endowment is a concept in philosophy that refers to human capacities and abilities which can be naturally or socially acquired. Natural endowment is biologically analysed. This natural and social distinction exemplifies individuals' positions within communities. The differences in human capacities enables diverse perceptions towards a similar situation. This includes Stephen Covey's human endowments, which are self-awareness, imagination, willpower, abundance mentality, courage, creativity, and self-renewal.
Description
Endowment in philosophical terms encompasses human innate and acquired capacities. The disciplinary focus of philosophy on human capacities is inclusive in the ontological studies of human nature. The innate and learned human capacities reflects the intrinsic lives and realities of human beings .
Endowment, either innate or acquired, varies among individuals and societies. 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. This enables people to live together despite their different set of innate capacities. The necessity of living together as groups in order to thrive is part of individuals' acquired capacities.
The epistemological nature of human endowment can be explored through the state of nature theory with the focus on self-interested individuals and the creation of states. Human endowment is also inclusive in the theories of human nature exploring individuals' rational and social behaviours.
thumb|218x218px|Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Medieval Philosophers)
History
In-depth analysis of human endowment is attributed to theories and perceptions of human evolution.
The biological and cultural evolution is an ongoing process that shapes similarities and distinctive human attributes. Biological and cultural evolution coexist to influence human activities. Biological evolution is determined by genes or hereditary, which naturally gives individuals the ability to speak the language of their associated communities. Cultural evolution is the process where beliefs and a community's way of living is passed down to generations which includes their spoken language.
The state of nature by Rousseau offers an understanding of self-preservation as the main innate human capacity. Natural human endowment is peoples' willingness to survive and enjoy life. This allows the existence of states which individuals have formulated in order to live peacefully and ensure their continual survival.
thumb|155x155px|Aristotle (Ancient Greek Philosopher)
Aristotle's human nature focuses on rationality as an innate human capacity that enables them to form communities and states. Aristotle shows the natural existence of communities and states due to individuals' innate capacities to live together. Living in communities reflects the differences between humans' innate abilities. This includes the innate abilities towards political participation between male and female.
Human endowment is considered to be of divine nature according to Spinoza. Divine nature is reference to God's influence on human actions. The natural capacities of people to realise what they need enables them to make reasonable decisions and act accordingly. Spinoza's idea of necessity as part of human endowment is connected to God or nature which is the only existing substance. This differentiates natural endowment from social endowment.
Aristotle focuses on reason and mind as part of human natural endowment. Individuals are born with the natural ability to think, which enables them to make rational decisions. Individuals, through their minds and reason, develop abilities which could become habits if they continue to be rational. Aristotle's political perceptions of human nature reflect the idea of unequal natural abilities between genders. The social construction of communities and states is a result of individuals' realisation that living together in a civilised manner is necessary for survival. Individuals' have the natural ability to act reasonably towards certain situations as they know what the situation is and its consequences. Imagination is of individual minds where thoughts beyond real life occurrences and situations take place.