In his essay entitled “Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor” Garrett Hardin explains through the metaphors of a lifeboat and a commons pasture to explain his theory that aiding poorer countries, as well as permitting immigration to richer countries, is bad for the global population in the long run (Hardin 584-585). Hardin effectively uses credible sources and logical statistical arguments and examples drawn from them, while excluding emotional and personal examples, to present his argument in a compelling way that causes the reader to disregard the morality of the situation and consider his strategic view of the issue as reasonable. One way that Hardin effectively explains his argument is by using metaphors, which makes the
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One example where this strategy is demonstrated is when Hardin explains that “poor countries undergo a 2.5 percent increase in population each year; rich countries, about 0.8 percent,” (Hardin 587). By using numerical data, Hardin leads the reader to visualize his point clearly and also consider the situation from a statistical view rather than a humanitarian one. Hardin also includes relevant and at the time current examples of programs meant to aid poorer countries such as the Food for Peace program and World Food Bank and analyzes what their effects will be over time to further support his thesis (Hardin 586-587). By continually presenting data and relevant examples as support material for his argument, Hardin adds a level of credibility to his essay while also influencing the way his idea is perceived by the …show more content…
The principal of pathos, otherwise known as emotional appeal, is used very little within Hardin’s essay as it would likely be counterproductive by pointing out that his solution means allowing residents of poor countries to starve. One instance that could be considered a use of pathos is within his lifeboat example where a person who feels guilty gives up their spot, but then they become the one drowning and it doesn’t change the overall situation, so it adds to his argument that the statistics of the situation is the most important (Hardin 584). The principal of logos, or logic, is used throughout the essay with his numerical examples of population growth rates and ratios of rich populations to poor ones within set time frames. Relevant examples like the World Food Bank and Food for Peace are cited and used as evidence for his arguments. Credibility, or ethos, is the last principal shown through his repeated citing of outside sources as well as how Hardin presents counter arguments himself within his lifeboat and commons examples and further explains why they’re ineffective and wouldn’t provide a long-term solution. By utilizing ethos and logos while avoiding pathos, Hardin effectively defends his controversial theory in his
One example where this strategy is demonstrated is when Hardin explains that “poor countries undergo a 2.5 percent increase in population each year; rich countries, about 0.8 percent,” (Hardin 587). By using numerical data, Hardin leads the reader to visualize his point clearly and also consider the situation from a statistical view rather than a humanitarian one. Hardin also includes relevant and at the time current examples of programs meant to aid poorer countries such as the Food for Peace program and World Food Bank and analyzes what their effects will be over time to further support his thesis (Hardin 586-587). By continually presenting data and relevant examples as support material for his argument, Hardin adds a level of credibility to his essay while also influencing the way his idea is perceived by the …show more content…
The principal of pathos, otherwise known as emotional appeal, is used very little within Hardin’s essay as it would likely be counterproductive by pointing out that his solution means allowing residents of poor countries to starve. One instance that could be considered a use of pathos is within his lifeboat example where a person who feels guilty gives up their spot, but then they become the one drowning and it doesn’t change the overall situation, so it adds to his argument that the statistics of the situation is the most important (Hardin 584). The principal of logos, or logic, is used throughout the essay with his numerical examples of population growth rates and ratios of rich populations to poor ones within set time frames. Relevant examples like the World Food Bank and Food for Peace are cited and used as evidence for his arguments. Credibility, or ethos, is the last principal shown through his repeated citing of outside sources as well as how Hardin presents counter arguments himself within his lifeboat and commons examples and further explains why they’re ineffective and wouldn’t provide a long-term solution. By utilizing ethos and logos while avoiding pathos, Hardin effectively defends his controversial theory in his