The Tragedy of the Commons/Out of Sight & Out of Mind: a New Oceanic Imperialism
The Tragedy of the Commons/Out of Sight & Out of Mind: A New Oceanic Imperialism
Overview:
In the first article, Garrett Hardin attempts to assert that there is no universal solution to the population problem. His supports this central thesis be explaining that in a world that has finite resources, the population must inherently also be finite. He also declares that the optimum population is less than the maximum. In order to take full advantage of each individuals potential, it is necessary to maximize “good per person” (which is a relative phrase; and to measure the values of the goods, a weighting system would have to be implemented).
The philosophical tragedy of the commons occurs when individuals overuse (for their personal benefit) the commons to the point where it impedes on the use and future use of others and future generations. This overuse also leads to devaluation. Hardin proposed an analogy of a field “open to all,” in which common ownership leads to environmental degradation. In terms of pollution, the problem of the commons deals with adding to the commons rather than taking from the commons.
The natural tendency of man (at the individual level) is to justify their actions based on the cost saving that could arise from for instance polluting, instead of having their waste properly disposed of. This micro view of the problem leads to aggregate problems for the entire population because if each person resorts to such actions, the commons (as a result of pollution for example) will be drastically over-polluted and ineffectual for all. Hardin describes a potential solution to the problem of the commons which utilizes administrative law coupled with temperance and morality (relative to the times).
The author’s next critical assertion is that a given population should restrict the freedom to breed. He exclaims that if every family in society were required to provide for their children and home without any government intervention
Overview:
In the first article, Garrett Hardin attempts to assert that there is no universal solution to the population problem. His supports this central thesis be explaining that in a world that has finite resources, the population must inherently also be finite. He also declares that the optimum population is less than the maximum. In order to take full advantage of each individuals potential, it is necessary to maximize “good per person” (which is a relative phrase; and to measure the values of the goods, a weighting system would have to be implemented).
The philosophical tragedy of the commons occurs when individuals overuse (for their personal benefit) the commons to the point where it impedes on the use and future use of others and future generations. This overuse also leads to devaluation. Hardin proposed an analogy of a field “open to all,” in which common ownership leads to environmental degradation. In terms of pollution, the problem of the commons deals with adding to the commons rather than taking from the commons.
The natural tendency of man (at the individual level) is to justify their actions based on the cost saving that could arise from for instance polluting, instead of having their waste properly disposed of. This micro view of the problem leads to aggregate problems for the entire population because if each person resorts to such actions, the commons (as a result of pollution for example) will be drastically over-polluted and ineffectual for all. Hardin describes a potential solution to the problem of the commons which utilizes administrative law coupled with temperance and morality (relative to the times).
The author’s next critical assertion is that a given population should restrict the freedom to breed. He exclaims that if every family in society were required to provide for their children and home without any government intervention
Cited: Hardin, Garrett. "The Tragedy of the Commons by Garrett Hardin - The Garrett Hardin Society - Articles." The Garrett Hardin Society. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. <http://www.garretthardinsociety.org/articles/art_tragedy_of_the_commons.html>. Skaldany, Mike, Ben Belton, and Rebecca Clausen. "Out of Sight & Out of Mind A New Oceanic Imperialism." Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy | Where Global and Local Meet Sustainability. Web. 31 Oct. 2010. <http://www.iatp.org/tradeobservatory/library.cfm?refID=48537>.