Is poverty objective?

[JMJ_coder]

Is poverty objective or is it subjective to the time and culture? For example, what is generally considered a modest dwelling in America would be generally considered a luxurious dwelling in the Third World. Is poverty subjective then or are we in the First World rationalizing our greed?

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

It can be both.

 

[James224]

Is poverty objective or is it subjective to the time and culture? For example, what is generally considered a modest dwelling in America would be generally considered a luxurious dwelling in the Third World. Is poverty subjective then or are we in the First World rationalizing our greed?

Poverty, secularly speaking, is not having the essentials to live on. Spiritually speaking, Poverty is detaching ourselves from things to put God first. In this sense, it’s ok to have things but not put them first and an end unto themselves. It’s what’s in the heart.Secularly speaking, in first world countries, those that are poor, sometimes are guilty of the deadly sin of Envy. Those that are wealthy, sometimes, are guilty of the deadly sin of Greed.

 

[Verbum]

Poverty is subjective. People who live in generally poor countries consider themselves rich if lthey have what our poor people have.

Destitution is objective. It is the state of one whose material conditions are such that his health or life are constantly threatened.

Poverty is sometimes confused with destitution.

Verbum