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Quote by Garrett Hardin

“Quoting page 235: Universalism: The Promiscuous Altruism At one extreme of the spectrum of discriminating altruisms lies universalism, altruism that is practiced without discrimination of kinship, shared values, acquaintanceship, propinquity in time or space, or any other characteristic. An immense literature has grown up promoting an ideal expressed well by a now forgotten poet at the end of World War I: “Let us no more be true to boasted race or clan / but to our highest dream, the brotherhood of man.” This sounds lovely, but what kind of altruism does it praise? Clearly the poem is a paean to “promiscuous” altruism. Promiscuity should always be challenged. Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809-1865) said, “If all the world is my brother, then I have no brother.” The specific shortcoming of universalism is easy to identify: it promotes a pathology that was identified in the preceding chapter, namely the tragedy of the commons.”

Quote by Garrett Hardin

Book:Living within Limits: Ecology, Economics, and Population Taboos
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Living within Limits: Ecology, Economics, and Population Taboos

Living within Limits: Ecology, Economics, and Population Taboos delves into the complex relationship between environmental sustainability, economic systems, and population growth. The book challenges traditional taboos and offers insights into the challenges and solutions related to managing finite resources and balancing human needs with ecological limits. more

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Garrett Hardin
Garrett Hardin

Garrett Hardin, an ecologist, was born on April 21, 1915, and passed away on September 14, 2003. He is renowned for his theory of the 'Tragedy of the Commons,' which explores the issue of resource overuse. more

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