This assistance then takes place voluntarily or is imposed by law, so that the poor will not become active and dangerous enemies of society, so as to make their reduced energies more productive, and so as to prevent the degeneration of their progeny. The poor man as a person, and the perception of his position in his own mind, are in this case as indifferent as they are to the giver who gives alms for the salvation of his own soul. In this case, the subjective egoism of the latter is overcome not for the sake of the poor, but for the sake of society.

XREF: Connects to Foucault's concept of biopower and governance through welfare; also echoes Marx's critique of bourgeois philanthropy as serving class interests.

Georg Simmel, on individuality and social…, loc. 410