Just look at history, or current conditions in some parts of asia: child labor, 16-hour days in overcrowded fire hazards etc. But the more general point is: do

Just look at history, or current conditions in some parts of asia: child labor, 16-hour days in overcrowded fire hazards etc. But the more general point is: do you value an individual solely by what they can produce? Extreme example: Late at night, Mr.&Mrs. Miller get in a car accident and die. Their 5-years old daughter survives. She is not capable of sustaining herself with productive work. Is it fair for her to die? Yes, it's extreme. In any sane world, someone would somehow take the girl in and provide for her until she's old enough. But taking in an orphan and caring for them is already altruistic. Continue down that path, you'll soon stumble upon a social safety net that canonises these instincts. That's better than individual initiative because: - it can distribute the costs of caring equally, instead of burdening, say, one family with all the costs of raising little Amy Smith - it's fairer: your survival should not depend on you being cuter than someone else in need - it's dependable: there's value in knowing your child will be cared for should you suddenly be hit by a bus