reflective altruism

[hitchhiker]

Consider an insight from the Jewish tradition. The ancient rabbis were exquisitely sensitive to the psychological needs of poor people, and they argued that these needs should also be taken into account. So they decreed that you shouldn’t only give poor people enough money to survive on — they need to have more than that so they themselves can give charity to others. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes, “On the face of it, the rule is absurd. Why give X enough money so that he can give to Y? Giving to Y directly is more logical and efficient. What the rabbis understood, however, is that giving is an essential part of human dignity.”

from https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/372519/charity-giving-effective-altruism-mutual-aid-homeless, the article is worth reading too

Comments

[amaebi]

I couldn't agree more if I had a dump truck.