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
The Fourth Part of the World
High
Justice on Trial
The Third Wave
Stress Test
Iacocca
Lincoln at Gettysburg
Consider Phlebas
Out of the Crisis
Twelve Against The Gods
The Bias That Divides Us
Linchpin
Judgment in Managerial Decision Making
Triggered
Anna Karenina
Atlas Shrugged
A Short Guide to a Happy Life
Modern Aramaic (Assyrinan/Syriac) Dictionary
The Book of Five Rings
Poor Numbers
The Undercover Economist
Vagabonding
Gridiron Genius
Execution
Folk Devils and Moral Panics
The Amber Spyglass
A Short History of Financial Euphoria
The Nature of the Beast
Shadow Divers
Stranger In A Strange Land
Destined For War
The Art of  Scientific Investigation
Mastering The Market Cycle
Artificial Intelligence
The Legend of Henry Ford
The Painted Bird
Restoring Our Republic
Lessons for the Living
The World Without Us
Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World
The Fourth Turning
The Sum of Us
Kochland
Sit Like a Buddha
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Awakening Joy
The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership
The Tycoons
Malabar Farm
The Watchman's Rattle
Global Crisis
Smart People Should Build Things
The Purple Cow
Indistractable
Civilized to Death
The Art of Spirited Away
Building the Intentional University
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
A Story Lately Told
The Power of Full Engagement
Immortality
The Great Convergence
The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert
Tales of the Unexpected
SuperFreakonomics
Friday Black
Undaunted Courage
House of Morgan
1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die
Watchmen
Powering the Future
The Long Tail
Molecular Biology of the Cell
The Story of the Human Body
A Gentleman in Moscow
Race Against The Machine
A Curious Mind
Soon I Will Be Invincible
The Two-Parent Privelege
A Pattern Language
Home Economics
In Over Our Heads
The Upside of Inequality
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Edison
Tribe of Mentors
The World We Have Lost
Sailing Alone Around The World
The Culture Code
The Water Dancer
Rational Expectations
David Bowie
Devil's Harbor
The Conquest of Gaul
Farsighted
No Two Alike
The Back of the Napkin
The Hate U Give
The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí