In his opening sentence, Andrew Carnegie speaks of “indiscriminate charity” as “one of the serious obstacles to the improvement of [the human] race.” What does Carnegie mean by this? Why was your first impression of this sentence - that is to what extent do you agree with Carnegie’s assertion? Did your position change by the time you reached the end of the excerpt? Explain
Carnegie believes that giving charity without proper planning and strategy can do more harm than good, as it can create a cycle of dependence. While I initially disagreed with this assertion, I came to agree with Carnegie's point of view that philanthropy should be strategic and focused on creating opportunities for people to improve their own lives.
How does Carnegie characterize the donor he discusses in the first paragraph? Why does he say that giving money to the beggar was “probably one of the most selfish and very worst actions of his life”
Carnegie characterizes the donor as a wealthy man who gave money to a beggar on the street out of a desire to feel good about himself. He says that this act was "probably one of the most selfish and very worst actions of his life" because it did not address the root causes of poverty and perpetuated a cycle of dependence.
If Carnegie believes that “in alms-giving more injury is probably done by rewarding vice than by relieving virtue” (para. 2), then what is his recommendation for “the best means of benefiting the community” (para. 3)? Do you agree or disagree with this analysis?
Carnegie recommends providing education and opportunities for individuals to improve their own lives as the best means of benefiting the community. While direct aid may be necessary in certain situations, Carnegie believes that philanthropy should focus on sustainable solutions rather than simply providing temporary relief. I agree with his analysis.
Carnegie claims that the best way to improve the situation of the poor “is to place within its reach the ladders upon which the aspiring can rise.” The “ladders” he mentions are “parks, and means of recreation, by which men are helped in body and mind” (para. 3). Do you think that this is an effective plan? Explain. What assumption(s) about
Carnegie's plan assumes that providing access to parks and recreation can improve individuals' physical and mental well-being, and thus provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. While this plan alone may not be sufficient to address all causes of poverty, it can be effective in promoting community development and economic growth. However, addressing poverty requires a multifaceted approach that addresses systemic inequality and lack of access to education and job opportunities.