The Hard Choice

Malcolm Gladwell in "What the Dog Saw" describes the problem and possible solution of homelessness. Homelessness sits on a power-law curve that is a few individuals cause the majority of the problem and cost associated with homelessness. Most are without a home for a very short amount of time. It is the chronic few who have their tens of thousands of dollars of medical bills being paid for by the government. The solution is to ensure these few individuals not be homeless and are taken care of.

But this very solution of focusing on a few is aptly described by Gladwell as unsettling. Gladwell explains we are giving special treatment to those individuals who don't deserve it. At the same time, we solved the problem by only examining the economical cost on society. Some of the chronic homeless will not be
able to appreciate being given an apartment and the taxpayer will always be paying their bill. But it is a bill which is significantly less than before. This solution will not solve their inability to be productive members of society.

The dilemma lies in following our principles or solving the problem. The answer seems to be simple. We need to solve the problem. Yet what is the purpose of principles if there is no one to live by them. But then of course the exact opposite is a strong argument as well. If we are not to follow our principles then what is the purpose of living?

Is there a price to following our principles? A price at which we can be paid. Is this something we would want? At what price would we want to pay for our values and beliefs? One life, multiple lives, a problem which we thought could never be solved. Even more difficult than answering those questions would be enacting the policy. As Gladwell reminds us it will not be popular with either the left or the right.

A strong consideration seems to be that principles are those who have the time and wealth to afford them to understand them. When you sit hungry, tired, and alone there are much more important needs. However, we do reward those who are able to "rise" about basic needs to a higher requirement. Yet, what good can you do if don't live another day?

I think that is the most difficult choice of a purposeful martyr. Will the good of your death be greater than the life you could have lived? The need to survive and live is our strongest most basic need. And of course, you can never know the answer. Perhaps, in this line thought could answer the question to the price of our values.

But we still haven't answer if we should put a price on it.