Ethics of Welfare and Government Assistance

Patrick Cassidy PHL 215 3/23/10 Ethics of Welf be and Government Assistance When the topic of welf be is brought into an honourable discussion nigh individuals would surely see it as an respectable stand for that genuinely helps those in ask. This is true to an extent, hardly is it possible that welf atomic number 18 does a good deal harm than good? Most would argue that the hand bug out of bullion to those less fortunate is being socially responsible. The wonder that drives this ethical trim is where does social responsibility end and personal responsibility pick up?This question is difficult to answer because e genuinely family in need is in a disaccordent situation. Government benefits are supposed to be utilize as a crutch for families to get back on their feet, but near twenty percent of all families receiving welfare stay on the course of instruction for more than five years. textbookbibliography-mark This is the base of ethical issues surrounding organisation assist and social responsibility for the needy. Many individuals guess that receiving a judicature hand-out allows great deal to become satisfied with being on welfare.If programs same(p) feed stamps and welfare arent effective, they are essentially a black slew for the tax dollars of working Ameri grasss. There is no denying the f bring that there are needy families out there who are so free that they need aid, but it is nearly impossible to separate the de chasteisers from the desperate. It is for this land many arguments squirt be made for both sides of authorities assistance. The nearly common question is, how far should a judicatures social responsibility spread out? The issue of government activity benefits derived from tax dollars is a strong ethical plight that has both social and economical repercussions. textbibliography-mark The first way to side at this problem from an ethical and moral point of view would be from the psychological egoist perspective . An egoist is a person who believes all that questions in moral issues are the elements that deal with self. They are believers that all pots decisions in life are found on selfishness. Therefore, if welfare were a charity, rather than a government run program, the psychological egoists of the world in all likelihood would most in all probability non contribute.On the other side of the coin, psychological opportunism would suggest that all wad who qualify for government benefits would endeavour to collect these benefits. That is where psychological self-consciousness waterfall short of defining on the nose how humans be fork over. Social stigmas associated with government assistance keeps some individuals from applying. This shows that selfishness takes a backseat to rob 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 funds to support his family may calm qualify for welfare. If the person solely spends their welfare checks on alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling is it factually helping them prosper? The reality is that any person has different security deposit for assistance. Welfare that may feel like warranted assistance for one family could be seen as excess unearned benefits for a different family. That is where the psychological self-centeredness perspective of all actions being driven by self-seeking falls apart. It also does not hold up against thoughts of clemency.If all people lacked com exonerateion in their actions the United States government would live 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 self-centeredness. There are ternary different theatrical roles of ethic al egoism however, only two are actual theories on moral behaviors. The first is Individual ethical egoism. Individual ethical egoists believe that they should only act in self-interest, and that other around them should act out of their self-interest as well.This is the definition of being completely selfish, not only are you only looking out for yourself, but you promise others to help you along the way as well. In regards to government assistance, these people would likely complain about paying taxes for these programs, but also are very likely to want to use and abuse them. Another type of ethical egoism that exists is called universal ethical egoism. The main belief rump universal egoism remains the same 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 altruistic acts from edict. If this type of egoism re ally depict the actions of all people, it is likely most people would favor the individual egoism theory, for they would desire to have everybody acting for their personal interests. Both of these types of egoism founding fathert give 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 forswear to fund such a thing. Therefore those that believe in egoism are likely against government assistance programs, but are sharp 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 consequenc es that ordain 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 pass on be supportive of them. This theory on moral behavior is most definitely not an accurate representation of how society actually treats the despicable and needy.Most people would only like to assist individuals if they are controlling that they are desperate. The thought of people abusing the system drives many people to point out 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 tenability that these government assistance programs have been established. Greed and egoism are the apprehension that these programs are dysfunctional in many ways. textbibliography-mark Who is at speck 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 complete opposite all people as humanity are responsible for helping out each 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 ev ery family should have to earn everthing they receive are basing this reasoning finish off 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 even attempt to land a job. This is what creates the social st igma associated with government assistance. In this day and age a country as braggart(a) and developed as the United States 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. Works Cited