Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping The Poor

The world consists of different people, civilizations, and ways of life. There are many situations that call for different ways of handling them, like poverty, overpopulation, resources, and famine aid. Two very different points of view about these issues are espoused in two very different essays written decades apart, “Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor” by Garrett Hardin and “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift. Hardin’s view of civilization and the world, although harsh, has facts that could help improve the issues. Even though Swift’s opinion has personal perspective, it isn’t very realistic.
OVERPOPULATION All over the world overpopulation is an issue. Poverty is thought to be a main influence. Although Swift does not state much on the issue of
Swift implies that the poor can be considered useful, that they can work, and could help with conserving these resources. He points that it is the rich who should have partial blame for the lack of resources for the poor, due to their unnecessary spending or the way they “waste” or “manage money”. Hardin views this issue differently. He feels that the poor are unskilled, uneducated, and are a drain to the resources of the rich. Hardin feels as if the poor contribute nothing to the rich. He indicates that there is a better use for resources other than being used by the poor, and that the resources need to be controlled by those of richer countries. “To be generous with one’s own possessions is quite different from being generous with those of posterity.” (Hardin)
Although Hardin and Swift have different views and perspectives, they both have very strong opinions about those topics. The world has different ways of doing things. Nothing will ever be one way or the other. The most important thing civilization can do is look at the most realistic opinion, and improve situations based on