Why is it right to help the homeless?

I thought it would be interesting to get a little philosophical. Considering the hard work that everyone in this organization is so committed to and the attendant belief that it is morally virtuous to help the homeless, I wanted to investigate the question of why it is right to help the homeless.  I put together my thoughts and wrote down a few ideas on the matter. So I, Brian Coe, the Giving Spirit’s blogger, would like to share some of my views on why it is right, but I would also enjoy hearing from you as to why you think it is right.  Why do you do it?

Are you ready? Let’s get philosophical.

Most of us feel it is right to help those who are homeless, but there are still a few who believe that the homeless should be left to help themselves. In order be clear on why we help we must ask, Why is it right to help the homeless?

Helping the homeless is right because it is a compassionate act, and compassion is a virtue of the highest order. To help the homeless is to demonstrate a concern for the welfare of others without judging them or blaming them for their circumstances. Compassion doesn’t blame a victim but seeks to offer assistance no matter what the situation. Furthermore, to help the homeless, and others, when they are down is a model of good behavior that inspires others. This can possibly lead people to engage in other acts of kindness, as kindness is often contagious.

We know everybody wants to be happy. In order to be happy, harmful conditions should be minimized and helpful conditions should be maximized.  Therefore, we can say that helping the homeless out of compassion is an act that would benefit, not only the individual, but all of society because we are acting to reduce harmful circumstances for individuals within our communities. Individuals benefit by having their own conditions improved and society benefits by having fewer people in the community who are suffering.

Those who believe that the homeless should help themselves might object to offering help because they believe it may cause a dependency, or that leaving people on their own may be good because it teaches personal responsibility. But there is a big difference between offering assistance in small, or even large, ways, and creating a co-dependent relationship. We should not overlook the benefits of helping others for any judgments we have about the way a person should manage their life; the way we conduct ourselves in our own lives is much more important. It would be wise, then, for us to remember how we have been assisted in difficult times and to look for the joy in helping others out of their difficult situations, which in some ways we have all experienced.

We will create a better world by acting in more peaceful and compassionate ways, therefore helping the homeless is right because it brings us all great benefit.

by Brian Coe

What other reasons can you think of? Why do you do it?