On The Streets

Source: Joel Lee

If a picture is worth a thousand words, consider these images of the homeless in Indonesia as an indication of the troubled world we live in. 

In Jakarta, Indonesia, past the highway and on busy streets, you will likely spot a couple of homeless individuals wandering around the streets for spare change. Many homeless individuals have been hit hard during the COVID pandemic and remain in difficult times years later. With bright costumes and downcast expressions, the message is clear: even in a world filled with vibrant colors and superficial joy, the deep struggle of homelessness remains a stark and painful reality that demands our empathy and charity.

Now, it is important to note that the troubling nature of modern-day homelessness ultimately comes from the lack of choice it brings about. Homelessness today is a legal condition where individuals lack private property rights, which results in a unique form of unfreedom.

Interestingly, for ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes, it was the opposite; it brought a sense of liberation to him. Diogenes, also known as the cynic, embraced self-imposed poverty, rejecting material possessions and societal norms in favor of a life stripped to its essentials. His possessions were minimal: a single cloak and a bag for food. He lived in a large earthen jar, a rudimentary equivalent of today’s cardboard boxes, and his lifestyle was marked by extreme self-denial and a commitment to living like a stray dog—barking at passers-by and challenging their virtue. Diogenes’ practice of living with almost nothing and his philosophical stance were not merely about material deprivation but was his demonstrated rejection of societal expectations and luxury. 

However, it would be unfair to use Diogenes’s perspective as a solution to homelessness today. Unlike Diogenes, whose voluntary poverty was a philosophical statement, modern-day homelessness is often a consequence of systemic failures and personal misfortunes beyond an individual's control. Poor socioeconomic backgrounds, lack of welfare, and economic downturns combine to make cases of homelessness rampant today. Hence, there is a lack of control for homeless people today and that is the troubling nature. 

More than ever, it seems that addressing homelessness requires a moral perspective because it involves recognizing and upholding the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their circumstances.  Adam Smith, often recognized for his economic theories in "The Wealth of Nations," provides one such perspective in, "The Theory of Moral Sentiments." Contrary to the stereotype of humans as inherently selfish, Smith emphasized the role of "sympathy" in moral judgment.  This approach contrasts with the cynicism of Diogenes, who dismissed societal norms and progress with a belief in the futility of such efforts. As it is, cynicism will only lead to inaction and a failure to address the root causes of homelessness today, while a moral perspective fosters long-term solutions by advocating for systemic changes and social responsibility. Thus, by engaging with homelessness through empathy and moral commitment, we reflect a deeper societal commitment to justice and human dignity, avoiding the defeatism that can paralyze meaningful progress.

Joel Lee