Ethics of Welfare and Government Assistance

Patrick Cassidy PHL 215 3/23/10 Ethics of Welfare and Government Assistance When the topic of welfare is brought into an good intelligence ab expose undivideds would sure as shooting see it as an ethical displace that genuinely helps those in deal. This is true to an extent, hardly is it possible that welfare does more harm than good? Most would argue that the hand out of specie to those less fortunate is being soci in ally responsible. The question that drives this ethical issue is where does social responsibility mop up and personal responsibility pick up?This question is difficult to answer because every family in need is in a discordent situation. Government benefits are supposed to be used as a crutch for families to get back on their feet, hardly about twenty percent of all families receiving welfare curb on the program for more than five years. textbibliography-mark This is the base of ethical issues surrounding judicature economic aid and social responsibilit y for the needy. Many individuals believe that receiving a government hand-out allows people to become satisfied with being on welfare.If programs like intellectual nourishment stamps and welfare arent effective, they are essentially a black seafarer for the tax dollars of working Ameri locoweeds. at that place is no denying the fact that thither are needy families out on that point who are so devoid that they need aid, but it is nearly impossible to separate the depravers from the desperate. It is for this reason many an(prenominal) arguments can be made for both cheeks of government tending. The most common question is, how far should a governments social responsibility stretch? The issuing of government benefits derived from tax dollars is a fast ethical dilemma that has both social and economical repercussions. textbibliography-mark The first way to look at this problem from an ethical and moral point of view would be from the mental egoist perspective. An egoist is a person who believes all that things in moral issues are the elements that deal with self. They are believers that all peoples decisions in life are found on selfishness. and then, if welfare were a charity, rather than a government run program, the psychological egoists of the world probably would most likely not contribute.On the other side of the coin, psychological egoism would suggest that all people who qualify for government benefits would try to collect these benefits. That is where psychological egoism falls short of defining exactly how humans behave. Social stigmas associated with government assistance keeps slightly individuals from applying. This shows that selfishness takes a backseat to pride and dignity when placed against these moral values. The real problem with government programs like welfare, food stamps, and free lunch is that the line between assistance and benefits is very dull.For example, a man who makes enough specie to agree his family may lock qua lify for welfare. If the person wholly spends their welfare checks on alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling is it truly helping them prosper? The reality is that every person has different tolerance for assistance. Welfare that may sense like warranted assistance for one family could be seen as excess unearned benefits for a different family. That is where the psychological egoism perspective of all actions being driven by self-interest falls apart. It also does not hold up against thoughts of compassion.If all people lacked compassion in their actions the United States government would have never been able to pass a bill to create welfare and other tax-dollar funded assistance programs. textbibliography-mark There is another ethical theory that is based on people acting on self-interest, it is titled ethical egoism. There are three different types of ethical egoism however, only two are substantial theories on moral behaviors. The first is Individual ethical egoism. Individual ethi cal egoists believe that they should only act in self-interest, and that other around them should act out of their self-interest as salubrious.This is the definition of being solely selfish, not only are you only looking out for yourself, but you expect others to help you on the way as hygienic. In regards to government assistance, these people would likely complain about paying taxes for these programs, but also are very likely to indirect request to use and abuse them. Another type of ethical egoism that exists is called universal ethical egoism. The main belief behind universal egoism remains the uniform as that of individual egoism individuals should only act out of their own self-interest.Where these two types of egoism differ is that universal egoism suggests that all people should act in a selfish manner, removing all selfless acts from society. If this type of egoism really described the actions of all people, it is likely most people would favor the individual egoism theory, for they would thirst to have everybody acting for their personal interests. Both of these types of egoism dont construct a realistic grasp of the American society when dealing with government assistance. These egoists would surely all desire government benefits, but they would have no desire to give back to the community.If everybody were solely out for themselves, there would be no government assistance because working tax-payers would refuse to fund such a thing. Therefore those that believe in egoism are likely against government assistance programs, but are prosperous to reap the benefits if they qualify. The essential opposite to egoism is known as utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is based on the idea of morality revolving around creating the most good for the most people. When it comes to decision making surrounding utilitarianism actions are based on the consequences that will ensue from the action.When this type of thinking is applied to the government assistance problem, utilitarians would surely side with providing those in need with as much as possible. This is a difficult position, because the abusers of these programs are still going to be allowed to collect, but if allowing these programs to operate helps the most people, then utilitarians will be supportive of them. This theory on moral behavior is most definitely not an accurate facsimile of how society actually treats the poor and needy.Most people would only like to assist individuals if they are confirmatory that they are desperate. The thought of people abusing the system drives many people to criticize it. People are greedy, and want to make sure all their money is being spent the way they desire. Therefore, the amount of people who support utilitarianism is the reason that these government assistance programs have been established. Greed and egoism are the reason that these programs are dysfunctional in many ways. textbibliography-mark Who is at fault for those who require assistance?The egoists would argue that if one acts solely on self-interest and still comes up empty, they have to sleep on the bed they have made. Utilitarianism argues the substitute opposite all people as humanity are responsible for helping out separately other. Since greed and materialism dominates American culture, it would be safe to say the egoists are winning this battle. Furthermore, by allowing abuse of government assistance programs it only advances the egotistical belief that the world is every man for themselves and to take all benefits possible.This is what drives most complaints within the system, the government not doing a good enough job of regulating these assistance programs. The issuing of government assistance is an ethical issued because it deals with multiple different opinions on the matter all based on morals. People who believe that every family should have to earn everthing they receive are basing this reasoning saturnine egoism. Those who feel that it is the duty of society to help those in need are basing their reasoning off of utilitarianism.The issues that most people bring up within the government assistance programs are that they are not managed and policed well enough. This is not a moral issue rather just issues of the government not doing all it can to make sure the right people are receiving assistance. Another reason that people have a large problem with assistance is because the government is in charge of it, and some people will go against anything that is government run. For these people there is no purpose in reasoning, they simply believe the government is out to get us all.The main reason people have such strong opinions on this matter is because those who work likely envision portions of their check being mailed to people who dont crimson attempt to land a job. This is what creates the social stigma associated with government assistance. In this day and age a country as prominent and developed as the United Sta tes must look out for their impoverished population. The assistance programs offered may not have all the kinks worked out and may not be well liked by everybody, but there is no denying that these programs are helping more than they are hurting. whole works Cited