[mwsherman]

Maybe it’s not about the self and one’s “philosophy”. When I see a person begging (or otherwise doing something needy or disruptive), I ask the most practical question possible:

Has this person had a harder day/week/month than I have? In another phrasing, am I more privileged than this person, as a matter of luck?

The truth is, I know very little about the person except that they are (ostensibly) suffering. The idea that my “encouragement” is going to affect their behavior is terribly ignorant and self-centered.

They might be a wife-beater, or someone who’s simply been dealt a terrible hand and can’t take care of themselves. Or both.

The idea that my giving money will have a substantial negative impact on this person is small and unknowable. It’s outweighed by the likelihood of a positive impact.

This doesn’t mean I give a lot, or often. But I consider that a shortcoming, not a philosophy.

[jordanvisco]

"The idea that my “encouragement” is going to affect their behavior is terribly ignorant and self-centered."

This is why it would be nice if we could all be consistent in our encouragement one way or the other. If we all did the same thing we might actually make a difference.