Harper HUM105 Discussion Forum 4 Latest 2019 February Question # 00599852 Subject: Education Due on: 03/27/2019 Posted On: 03/27/2019 05:02 AM Tutorials: 1 Rating: 4.9/5

HUM105 Great
Ideas of World Civilizations

Discussion
Forum 4

What should we do about the poor?

This week, we start to work on Unit 2: “What is
justice?” During this week, we will confront the unequal distribution of
wealth, and the idea that power and wealth, which are important parts of any
social and political system and are almost always tied to each other. So, I want
you to start thinking about issues of wealth, class, poverty, ownership, and
resource distribution. Do the reading assigned, including Barbara Ehrenreich’s
“From Nickle and Dimed”, Garrett Hardin’s essay, “Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against
Helping the Poor”, and Landmann’s essay “The House”. Also, watch the TEDTalk video with Mia
Birdsong, entitled “The Story We Tell About Poverty Isn’t True”. You
will find the link here, and in the Unit 2 folder:

And as much as you have time for, take a look at some of the
other links and resources in the Materials for the Four Units, Unit 2.

Then, at some point between now and 11:59 pm. Thursday,
February 21st, post the first of your posts. Make sure you include at least one
quotation from each of the readings. You
should also include a reference to the video, but you need not quote it directly.
Then, by 11:59 pm, Sunday, February 24th, add your second post, as a response to
what another person has said.

As before, make sure you do at least one of the following
for each of your posts:

Be the first to post an answer to the question. (You get extra
credit if you do!)

Agree, but then add to what someone else has already said.

Disagree with something already said, but explain why you
disagree.

Add a new element or new idea to the discussion.

Again, do not just agree, disagree, go off on an unrelated
tangent, or base your argument on “It’s just my opinion”. Give
reasons. Be clear, reasonable, and respectful. And be sure to avoid just restating
what’s already been said.

Here’s this week’s question:

The problems of inequality, poverty, and injustice are
nothing new. These problems have plagued
all complex, large-scale human societies since the beginnings of recorded
history. However, in spite of our throwing some of our best minds and
significant resources at them, we have failed to solve these problems. Why?
Some have argued that poverty is the result of the selfishness and greed of the
wealthy. Others have blamed poverty on
the poor, claiming that poverty is the result of character flaws, such as
laziness, lack of initiative, or lack of self-discipline. Others have argued
that inequitable resource distribution is not a moral issue but a practical
one, that can be resolved through a more efficient economic system, such as
instituting a minimum yearly income for everyone (Check out the link to Robert
Reich’s proposal on “universal basic income”), or employing
technological solutions.

After you’ve read the assigned readings and watched the
TEDTalk video by Mia Birdsong, think about this question and try to answer it
in this forum: What do you believe are the causes of poverty? What do you think
we should do about it?