Living Within Limits

Ecology, Economics, and Population Taboos

Garrett Hardin

Book Synopsis

"Living Within Limits" by Garrett Hardin is a thought-provoking exploration of humanity's interactions with the finite resources of our planet. Hardin, known for his groundbreaking work in ecology and population ethics, challenges the prevailing belief that technological progress alone can enable unlimited growth.

In this succinct book, Hardin argues that unrestricted population growth and the relentless pursuit of consumption are unsustainable and detrimental to both our collective well-being and the environment. Through compelling examples and scientific evidence, he demonstrates the tragic consequences of exceeding the carrying capacity of our planet, highlighting issues such as overpopulation, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion.

Hardin argues that the pursuit of common good requires recognizing the necessity of limits. Drawing upon concepts like tragedy of the commons and mutual coercion, he proposes a shift towards a sustainable society that respects natural boundaries and embraces responsible choices. Hardin also delves into the implications of these ideas for ethical decision-making, public policy, and the preservation of future generations.

"Living Within Limits" serves as a wake-up call to individuals, policymakers, and society as a whole, urging us to reevaluate our relationship with nature and to prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gains. Hardin's lucid prose and logical reasoning make this book an essential read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complex challenges facing our planet.

Through "Living Within Limits," Garrett Hardin offers a powerful critique of the prevailing ideology of infinite growth, providing a timely and profound exploration of the limits that we must acknowledge and respect if we are to create a sustainable and thriving future for humanity.

Explore More Books

See All
Prime Movers of Globalization
Fall; or, Dodge in Hell
The Idealist
#AskGaryVee
Zucked
White Working Class
The Devil’s Financial Dictionary
The Diamond Age
The Design of Everyday Things
Superhuman
The Three Marriages
Maps of Meaning
The Artist's Way
Walk in Their Shoes
Francis Crick
All I Want to Know is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There
Devil's Harbor
A Walk in the Woods
Not The End of the World
Hyperion
An Inconvenient Truth
The Blank Swan
How To Win at the Sport of Business
The Adventures of Henry Thoreau
A History of Knowledge
A Higher Loyalty
Free Women, Free Men
The Art of People
Plentiful Energy
The Halo Effect...
The Black Dahlia
Bad News
The Plot Against the President
Lolita
Striking Thoughts
Titan
For The Love Of Physics
The Death of the Artist
Leadership
Genome
The 48 Laws of Power
Trailblazer
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples
The Hustler
The Emotion Code
Hacks
Between The World And Me
Small Is the New Big
Be the Person You Want to Find
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo
Digital Gold
The Fabric of Civilization
Devil Take the Hindmost
Prelude to Foundation
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Flying Start
Double your Profits
The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life
An Elegant Defense
Switch
Why We Sleep
Play It Away
The Starfish and the Spider
Exit Interview
Radical Son
Powers of Two
The American Challenge
When Breath Becomes Air
Money Changes Everything
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
What Do People Do All Day?
Thinking Physics
Flow
Superintelligence
The Wizard of Menlo Park
Against The World
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
True Believer
Born Red
The Piano Tuner
Men, Machines, and Modern Times
A Whole New Mind
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
Evolving Ourselves
The True Believer
Starlink
Sustainable Materials With Both Eyes Open
With the Old Breed
The Tycoons
Electrify
Platform Revolution
From Galileo to Newton
Modernity Without Restraint
Dominion
Sex at Dawn
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
When I Say No, I Feel Guilty
I Seem To Be A Verb
Ham on Rye
Elvis Cole Series