by Scott Samuelson

When it comes to the subject of help, contemporary philosophy is rarely helpful. Its discussions tend to revolve around things like if it’s morally acceptable to buy a cappuccino when children are starving somewhere, or what percentage of your income you’re entitled to keep, or (I’m not kidding) how much donating money harms you and the extent to which that harm should be balanced against the help you’re obliged to maximize. If you’re the kind of person who thinks that moral reasoning is an extension of balancing your checkbook, a rich literature awaits.

Floating in the background of these discussions is the idea that our current economic system is unjust. A lot of people agree with that. I agree with that. But I have my doubts that the best way to help the situation involves composing a scathing piece of theoretical Marxism, much less publishing a journal article for your career advancement that scolds its readers for having spent some of their graduate-school stipend at Starbucks.

We need real help with the quandaries we have about help. As far as politics goes, we wonder about what we can do to improve the situation and worry about if the backlash to our efforts will render them counterproductive. Even more often, we wonder about how to help the people we care about. When should I let things play out? When do I intervene? What can I even do? How can I do it? Also, how can I get my partner to stop constantly trying to fix me? Wait, do I need help?

Sometimes a situation presents itself where help is needed and help is wanted and help would clear up the problem and you know what’s needed and you have what’s needed and you’re in a position to give it. The norm is usually more complicated.

Let’s say you have a brother. Read more »