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Living within Limits
352 pages, 1995
Writing about overpopulation, Garrett Hardin has cut a swathe through the field of ecology for decades. With such startling assertions, Hardin has gained a reputation as a fearless and original thinker. A prominent biologist, ecological philosopher, and keen student of human population control, Hardin now offers the finest summation of his work to date, with an eloquent argument for accepting the limits of the earth's resources--and the hard choices we must make to live within them.
In Living Within Limits, Hardin focuses on the neglected problem of overpopulation and makes a forceful case for dramatically changing the way we live in and manage our world. Our world itself is in the dilemma of the lifeboat: it can only hold a certain number of people before it sinks--not everyone can be saved.
In 'Living within Limits', Garrett Hardin introduces us to the concept of 'carrying capacity'. This refers to the maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely. Hardin suggests that we need to respect this limit to ensure the survival of our planet. It's a fascinating concept to explore.
Hardin makes a strong case for population control. He argues that unchecked population growth can lead to the depletion of resources and environmental degradation. If you're interested in sustainability and environmental conservation, you'll find his arguments compelling.
One of the key ideas in the book is the 'Tragedy of the Commons'. This is a situation where individuals, acting independently and rationally according to their self-interest, behave contrary to the best interests of the whole group by depleting a common resource. It's a thought-provoking concept to dig into.
Hardin challenges the popular belief that technology can solve all our problems. He argues that while technology can help us use resources more efficiently, it cannot create new resources. This perspective encourages us to look at technology and progress in a new light.
In 'Living within Limits', Hardin emphasizes the need for ethical considerations in our decisions about resource use and population control. He believes that we need to think about the long-term consequences of our actions, not just the immediate benefits. This book will make you see the importance of ethics in sustainability.
