Samaritans

The parable of the Good Samaritan is well known. According to the parable, while on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho, the Samaritan noticed a man who had been robbed and beaten by thieves and left half dead. Under the circumstances, the Samaritan had two options; he could either simply ignore the man or he could help him. The Samaritan chose to provide assistance. Therefore, the Samaritan’s dilemma is whether or not to help the needy and, in a broad sense, a samaritan can be considered anyone wishing to assist people in need. In theory, a samaritan has no dilemma if the condition of being in need of help is beyond the sufferer’s control. But a dilemma emerges for the samaritan, or for any donor, ...