Kindness
Behavior of generosity and concern for others without expectation of reward.
Last updated
According to Jiang (2025), kindness is a concept with multiple dimensions that changes as a person develops, influenced by cognitive growth, individual and social factors.[1][2] Jiang (2025) describes kindness as a condition that shows internal feelings and mindsets, expressed through actions and tendencies in how someone interacts with others and themselves.[1][2] Studies indicate that performing kind acts provides both pleasure-based (hedonic) and meaning-based (eudaimonic) advantages to the person doing them.[3]
Quick Facts
- Field
- Philosophy
- Religion
- Psychology
- Earliest attested word
- Approximately 1300 (English)
- Etymology
- Old English 'kyndnes'
- related to 'kind' meaning nature
- family
- or love
Facts from the source article.
Key facts and history
The term "kindness" entered English around 1300, and its meaning shifted to its present-day definitions by the late 1300s.[4][5] This etymology implies that early understandings of kindness viewed it as an inherent trait within one's family group.[4][5] Aristotle's examination centers on the requirements of the individual receiving assistance.[6] Aristotle stresses that the act must be given without expectation of return and freely, not for the helper's own benefit.[6]
Scholars interpret ren, a key idea in Confucius' ethical system, as meaning shared humanity or kindness directed at others.[7]
What the cited sources add
The Online Etymology Dictionary states that the word kindness meant "courtesy, noble deeds" around 1300, and "kind deeds; kind feelings; quality or habit of being kind" from the late 14th century.[5] The Rajayogini account describes kindness as an essential virtue that guides individuals on their spiritual journey, fosters a sense of interconnectedness, and encourages acts of kindness and selflessness.[8] The Rajayogini account states that acts of kindness, generosity, and empathy are seen as a way to purify the soul and bring one closer to spiritual realization.[8] The Brighton College (Singapore) website states that the school strives to develop within each child the Brighton core values of kindness, confidence, and curiosity.[9]
References
- Xu Jiang, "Kindness in Children and Adolescents: Conceptualization and Interventions", Encyclopedia (2025), doi:10.3390/encyclopedia5040213. OpenAlex metadata CC0; paper not read. doi.org
- Wikipedia, "Kindness" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Jiang, "Kindness in Children and Adolescents: Conceptualization and Interventions", Encyclopedia, 2025, p. 213 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Kindness" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Regan, "What is Unique About Kindness? Exploring the Proximal Experience of Prosocial Acts Relative to Other Positive Behaviors", Affective Science, 2023, p. 92–100; Kumar, "A little good goes an unexpectedly long way: Underestimating the positive impact of kindness on recipients", Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 2023, p. 236–252 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Kindness" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "kindness", Online Etymology Dictionary (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- "kindness", Online Etymology Dictionary. facts only, no text reused. etymonline.com
- Wikipedia, "Kindness" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Aristotle. (1954). Rhetoric (W. R. Roberts, Trans.). Modern Library. (Original work published 4th century B.C.E.); Konstan, "Influences on Peripatetic Rhetoric", 2007, p. 239–250 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Kindness" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Ren (Confucianism) Religion and Philosophy Research Starters EBSCO Research", EBSCO (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Rajayogini. (2023, October 22). Compassion in Hinduism: A path to spiritual enlightenment. https://www.rajayogini.com/post/compassion-in-hinduism-a-path-to-spir. facts only, no text reused. rajayogini.com
- Brighton College (Singapore). (n.d.). Who we are. https://www.brightoncollege.edu.sg/about-us/who-we-are/. facts only, no text reused. brightoncollege.edu.sg
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Kindness (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Kindness (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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