ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the origins and definitions of the words 'kind' and 'kindness', the differences and overlaps between compassion, empathy and kindness; and the importance of kindness in various religions of the world. The idea of kindness having a positive effect on humanity is conveyed throughout religious thinking. All religions have similar approaches and shared concepts to the application of kindness. The chapter also looks at philosophical viewpoints of kindness and how the arts and sciences are advancing on our understanding of kindness. Despite the relative lack of attention to kindness in management research, it has been a focus of religious teaching and philosophical debate throughout the ages. Kindness is not just within the domain of spiritual or philosophical aspects of one's life. There have been a number of relevant discoveries in medicine, and particularly, psychiatry, neurology and psychology. The chapter shows kindness in the world today and the recent emergence of movements around the world to promote kindness.
