would you accept a gift of money from a stranger? the following scenarios should help put the notion into context:
1. it's your 25th birthday party. a friend of a friend whom you barely know, and who is currently unemployed, gives you a gift card of 100 dollars. do you take it? the mood of the party is amorous and you know you'd be offending the guest by not taking it.
2. your distant cousin is going through a mid life crisis and is giving all her money away. you think she should be saving it for her retirement, but she is insistent. she gives a portion to all her family members, including you. a stipend of $25 a month. do you accept? you don't really need the money, but it wouldn't hurt either, and everyone else in your family has already accepted.
3. a beggar on the street offers you $10. he wants you to have it, he clasps your hands tight and nods his head that you take it, and then he makes as though he has to leave, so you don't have time to talk about it. yay or nay? he blesses you also, and continually calls you a good person, if only you'd take the money. he seems to have singled you out of the crowd for this.
alternatively, would you send money to strangers (who don't specifically need it)? say there was a famous actor or actress whom you've admired on the screen for years, and one day you have the opportunity to meet them in person. you want to give them something as a sign of your appreciation of their acting skills, but all you have on you are $50 notes. do you give them the money?
sorry for the multiple threads on random philosophical junk, btw. if it's annoying anyone, i'll stop. just let me know.
1. it's your 25th birthday party. a friend of a friend whom you barely know, and who is currently unemployed, gives you a gift card of 100 dollars. do you take it? the mood of the party is amorous and you know you'd be offending the guest by not taking it.
2. your distant cousin is going through a mid life crisis and is giving all her money away. you think she should be saving it for her retirement, but she is insistent. she gives a portion to all her family members, including you. a stipend of $25 a month. do you accept? you don't really need the money, but it wouldn't hurt either, and everyone else in your family has already accepted.
3. a beggar on the street offers you $10. he wants you to have it, he clasps your hands tight and nods his head that you take it, and then he makes as though he has to leave, so you don't have time to talk about it. yay or nay? he blesses you also, and continually calls you a good person, if only you'd take the money. he seems to have singled you out of the crowd for this.
alternatively, would you send money to strangers (who don't specifically need it)? say there was a famous actor or actress whom you've admired on the screen for years, and one day you have the opportunity to meet them in person. you want to give them something as a sign of your appreciation of their acting skills, but all you have on you are $50 notes. do you give them the money?
sorry for the multiple threads on random philosophical junk, btw. if it's annoying anyone, i'll stop. just let me know.
