Is poverty immoral?

Question

this question is from a societal point of view. Please don't bother with issues about personal choices.

All interesting responses! I'll put it to a vote for the best. Thanks!

Answer 1

If you are in a communist society,it might be.

Answer 2

First, "poverty" is not immoral. Jesus said "blessed are the poor"

I believe you meant to ask something to the effect of "is it immoral to allow poverty to exist?".

To see it and not do anything at all about it would be. However, the argument then becomes "what is the best way to prevent it. Most people who ask that question are setting up for the answer they want, which is usually anti-capitalist, pro socialism, "tax the rich". Well, sorry to say that capitalism has pulled more people out of poverty than socialism by a long shot. Capitalism encourages hard work with the goal of enriching yourself. Socialism encourages attitudes of "why should I do any more than anyone else, since I am only to receive the same as them". As a result, you get misery spread equally, instead of wealth spread unequally. In countries who have embraced capitalism, even the poor have more "stuff" than what our grandparents had, even if they were considered middle class 50 years ago. In purely socialist societies, the poor are still dying of real starvation .

Or put another way, would you rather have a system which gets some results for all because of self-interest of the wealthiest, or a system which gets results for none, but is full of good intentions. Last I checked, you couldn't eat good intentions. A Big Mac on the other hand tastes pretty good. And our "poor" have an obesity problem - go figure.

Answer 3

Poverty isn't immoral at all. Look, people are going to exploit other people. In order for one to win, another MUST lose (don't even bother me with neo-hippy "we can all just help each other" bull crap.) It's just that simple. Unless you have a society without money, the people won't be impovershed per se, but there will ALWAYS be inequalities in this world. Even outside of a material possesion, we'd all still be unequal (for example, some people are taller or can run faster than others.) I'd hate to burst people's bubbles,but you know what? You and me and everyone else are only human, which is why we have problems with each other.

Answer 4

If you mean is it immoral to allow poverty then I would say that it is not immoral because poverty is impossible to prevent. In socialist society attempting to share equally just brings the level of life down to a lower level and does not eliminate poverty. Charity and public assistance in the US, when combined, is larger than the defense budget, and yet poverty exists, though at lesser levels than other countries. I don't think, even in the most obtuse philosophical view could poverty reflect immorality on the great society.

Answer 5

YES it is Immoral whenever in America you have over eight (8*) + million American working for the Government and Employers who pay their employees Poverty Level Wages!! It is a crime against Humanity!! An honest days pay for an honest days work is not much to expect from any Employer!! To do so is to keep them in perpetual Poverty!! You cannot Enrich others without Enriching yourself!!! Pay them a Fair and Equitable wage!! The value you place on your Employees is the Value you place on yourself!!! POVERTY LEVEL wages have been being paid since 1997 because they would not pass the MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE!!! 10yrs, 10yrs, 10yrs!!!!

Answer 6

yes, inasmuch as I am under the impression that there is a certain amount of people who are kept jobless in order to keep wages down and prevent inflation. According to what little economic theory i've learned they (whoever they are) like to keep unemployment at around 4 percent. But I have also heard that the economic theory that says that "if everybody had a job inflation would skyrocket" has never been proven, and for that reason I think to purposely keep a percentage of the population poor and unemployed is immoral. Even more immoral is if you keep those people poor and unemployed and have no safety net in place to provide for thier basic needs.

Answer 7

I really don't think so we all have equal opportunity these day anyone of us can go to college through programs. Its our choice I only feel its immoral if the impoverage person is of a diminished capacity (mental).

Answer 8

Poverty is not immoral. I mean the people who are poor do not want to live that way, and want to better their situation. That to me is not immoral

Answer 9

Yes it is unless you have mental issues & cant get yourself out of poverty.

Answer 10

No, unless you choose to be that way and/or stay in poverty unnecessarily. The major problem is cleanliness.