Garrett Hardin's The Tragedy Of The Commons

Perhaps one of the greatest imaginable tragedies is self-destruction. Since the beginning of time, many intellectuals have discussed the inescapable course of destruction taken up by humans. Inevitably, the workings of the universe overpower the fleeting decisions of mankind. One of the most controversial writings was composed by an ecologist known as Garrett Hardin in 1968. In “The Tragedy of the Commons,” Hardin urges the idea that if men don’t prioritize the rationing of the world, it will deteriorate in short time. As observable in recent times, the life expectancy of the Earth is not as promising as it once was. Although harsh, Hardin’s paper still holds relevance today. Today’s society refuses to admit its desperate need for profound …show more content…
Proposed nearly three centuries ago, Thomas Malthus cultivated the concept that humans will demolish themselves through what some see as “preservation” and most see as the expanding of one's bloodline – excessive reproduction. He believed that the ever-growing population of human beings will obstruct the good of man and all that inhabits the world. In the past few centuries, Malthus’s theory has proven itself unvarnished and factual. The world population has skyrocketed and innumerable problems have arose. In rapidly developing countries, Malthus’s theology is being relentlessly verified. Mercilessly, the faster their population multiplies, the more the overall quality of life degrades for the poor. Hardin’s “The Tragedy of the Commons” addressed this issue decades ago, saying “However, by any reasonable standards, the most rapidly growing populations on earth today are (in general) the most miserable.” As accurate as that statement was nearly five centuries ago, it is all the more truthful today. As the modern world’s freshwater supply, food, sheltering abilities, and resources dwindle, the issue of overpopulation steadily