Philosophy essay: i don't know how to relate the given topic to philosophy-

Question: Philosophy essay: i don't know how to relate the given topic to philosophy- how to help homeless in society!?

any help would be greatly appreciated!.=)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

You could take a modern socialistic perspective, cite John Rawls' theory of justice as fairness!. In it, he proposes a single-vector theory of worth: essentially the golden rule: how would 100 people vote, if they were each placed in all 100 social positions!. I!.e!., would a rich person be more likely to vote for assistance to homeless, if she knew she'd be forced by society to be homeless for a year or whatever!?

Or, you could take a view that each person is a valuable person, and should be given some of your social wealth to heal their suffering!. Perhaps work-for-pay programs!.

You could note that if a person is crazy, i!.e!. suffering from some major mental health problem, that would be a first step promoting treatment!. I!.e!., a crazy person doesn't have rights to self-determination, in all ways!.

You could take the notion that a strong economy would provide more work than people could do, hence all could find work!.

You could posit that God Is, and that Christ Jesus did promote wise helping of the poor, in God's way!.

You could take Hobbes' view that it is the rational enlightened self-interest of members of a society to provide a legal safety net system for various circumstances!. This would be similar to workfare, welfare, social security, etc!.

"A Philosophy of Universality," O!. M!. Aivanhov, http://www!.prosveta!.comWww@QuestionHome@Com

Ok , so if you are attempting to relate this question to philosophy here is how i would do it!.
What you have been given is a problem!. Philosophy gives various different formulas for us to solve problems with!. Imannuel(sp) Kant has a system you may be familiar with called the categorical imperatives!. There are three different imperatives!. The first of which says, "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law!." here is a really complicated way of saying, if you can do it in this situation you must be able to do it in all situations!. The second formulation of the categorical imperative is, never use a person as a means to an end!. And the third is really similar to the first, it says do only that yourself, which you think would be acceptable if it was law!. Or if everyone cannot do it than neither can you!. You could either use these to answer the question, or you could use Another Kantian thought, all human life is intrinsically worthwhile, and therefore if one is suffering, than it is morally righteous to help them!.
Maybe an easier system would be that of the utilitarian philosophy, you may recognize this word as being used when you studied Jeremy Bentham!. Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that states the morality of our actions and deciscions is based soley on their consequences!. So to apply this philosophy to the question of whether or not to help the homeless in society you would have to weight the consequences that are brought forth by every action!. As you weight the different consequences and you find one where it would be acceptable to do so, then you will have used philosophy in order to help the homeless:)
You could also look up different philosophers, such as carl Marx, who dealt directly with economical issues!. Marx actually dealt directly with eliminating poverty!. In this way philosophy would have attempted to help the homeless by forming an ideal that could later be carried out by the government!.These are a few ways!. If you have any more questions or need me to narrow it down you can email me i i think!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

A philosophical essay on a given topic is an exploration to resolve the paradox or fix the problem!. In your case the Professor wants to see you apply logic, in an academic forum, to a societal problem!. Ask yourself if there is a blanket solution that will work to solve the problem!. If there is one to use, you just have to provide a reasonable argument showing that your solution is viable!.

If it's messy, like the problem you've been given, you'll do better by arguing both sides of the issue and siding with the most humanitarian one that benefits the most people while preserving the dignity and life of the minority!. There's usually no easy answers to these types of assignments!. They want to see how you approach the problem - rationally or irrationally!. They also want to see how far down the hole you'll chase the rabbit!. Of course there's usually a limit to how many words they want you to turn in, which means that you must get to the point quickly and not waste time being superfluous or obtuse!.

This is really a good assignment!. There is a lot of material to work with and the topic is charged by the sheer virtue of its scope and size!. I would talk about the practicality!. Can it really be done!? Are there enough resources to get the job done!? Would the help make a difference!? Is there a way to determine if someone is beyond help in order to avoid wasting resources the could go to someone who can be helped!? How much help is appropriate!? When do we hold the homeless responsible for the predicament they are in!? Is there a real moral obligation to do so!? Why do people who employ homeless people and pay small wages get ridiculed when they could just as easily employ someone who isn't homeless at the same wage!? When do you cut off help to someone who never puts forth any effort to overcome the fact they are homeless!? Do homeless drug users get the same consideration as a mother with a child or children!?

Just start asking questions and try and determine if the questions make it easy or difficult to come up with a solution!. You'll likely find yourself with way to much too say for the amount of space you'll be allowed!.

And make sure you understand JeffC's post!. He really gave you some powerful people and ideas to base you argument on!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You're thinking about it too subjectively, you need a particular context in which to phrase your philosophy with!.

In this case, it would be the Philosophy of Economics!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You CAN'T help them because many of the homeless CHOSE to be homeless!. Most of those people don't think like NORMAL people and they are just not worth the effort to try to help!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Plese help me with this one if you can!.!.I am lost!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com