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
Think Like a Monk
Leading Without Authority
The 10,000 Year Explosion
An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth
How To Get Rich
The Uninhabitable Earth
The Evolution of Cooperation
The Bitcoin Standard
Managing Oneself
Blackout
As I Lay Dying
The Godfather
Future Babble
This Brave New World
The Black Swan
I'd Like To Play Alone, Please
The Neverending Story
The Cancer Code
Origin Story
Sell with a Story
Beat the Wealth Management Hustle
Race Against The Machine
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Lincoln
Idoru
The God Delusion
Build
Elon Musk
Financial Derivatives
Hidden Potential
Clearing The Air
The Martian
The Making of the Atomic Bomb
The Devil in the White City
Leonardo Da Vinci
Thank You For Smoking
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Zoning Rules!
A Most Beautiful Thing
Raising Girls
Dear Chairman: Boardroom Battles and the Rise of Shareholder Activism
The Discovery of France
Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter
The Man Who Fed The World
Founding Sales
The Machine Stops
My American Journey
Nature Via Nurture
The Seventh Sense
In Pursuit of the Common Good
The Power of Positive Thinking
Nexus
Storm of Steel
The Innovators
Joy on Demand
I Am Not a Tractor
Your Keys Our Home
Grass Productivity
The Celestine Prophecy
In Praise of Shadows
Revolution in The Valley
The Printing Revolution in Early Modern Europe
The Idea Factory
Triumphs of Experience
Expectations Investing
Energy
American Kingpin
Dune
The Great Transformation
Self Reliance
Hate Inc.
The AI Revolution in Medicine
On Wings of Eagles
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
To Kill a Mockingbird
Immortality
The Revolt of the Public
Barbarian Days
The Survivor
Conspiracy
More Human
The Holy Bible
Scientific Advertising
The River War
Where Do School Funds Go?
Ending the War on Drugs
Class Warfare
The Man Who Invented Fidel
The Story of Civilization: The Renaissance
Darwin's Blind Spot
The Creative Society
Winning The Loser's Game
The Storytelling Animal
A Sense of Where You Are
A Year with Rumi
AI Superpowers
The Chile Project
Seeing Like a State
Nourishing Traditions
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls