Einführung in die Vermögenskultur

In the practical guide „An Introduction to the Culture of Capability – On the History, Development and Transformation of an Approach to Life and Shaping the Future“, published by the WIFU Foundation (2021), Thomas Druyen develops a comprehensive understanding of capability that goes far beyond a purely monetary perspective. Drawing on philosophical, cultural-historical and social-scientific foundations, wealth is understood as the human capacity to shape the future responsibly – as an interplay of material and immaterial resources.

This guide traces the historical evolution of the concept of wealth, from Aristotelian notions of potentiality and actuality through to its modern reduction to mere possession and riches. Druyen contrasts this with the concept of a ‘culture of wealth’, which understands wealth as a dynamic, action-oriented and value-bound principle. In doing so, he systematically distinguishes between wealth and assets and demonstrates that it is only the conscious use of resources – embedded in responsibility, a sense of purpose and social benefit – that constitutes assets in the true sense of the word.

The focus is on the question of how a culture of wealth can be put into practice. The author describes various levels of wealth management, ranging from personal attitudes and social responsibility to intergenerational and academic dimensions. Particular attention is paid to new forms of wealth, such as digital, adaptive and transformational wealth, as well as the ethical embedding of entrepreneurial activity. The guide thus provides a normative and analytical framework for entrepreneurial families who wish to utilise their wealth in a way that is long-term, meaningful and sustainable.