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The Tragedy of the Commons: The population problem has no technical solution; it requires a fundamental extension in morality.

Garrett HardinAuthors Info & Affiliations
Science
13 Dec 1968
Vol 162, Issue 3859
pp. 1243-1248
DOI: 10.1126/science.162.3859.1243
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Abstract

The population problem has no technical solution; it requires a fundamental extension in morality.

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RE: Education can counteract the natural tendency to do the wrong thing, but the inexorable succession of generations requires that the basis for this knowledge be constantly refreshed.
David Denny
  • Retired Informatics Engineer
  • Citizen of Perú and of the United Kingdom

The microscope we use for discussions of this nature can be labelled, "First World", or maybe, geographically, "North Atlantea".

The refreshment of knowledge of this sort has traditionally be led by the religious. But in the third millennium Religion has relegated itself to the background: at least as an operator of significance.

We can look at this theme of Continual Development as a form of uncontrolled appetite: greed, if you like. What repository of teachable sentimentaltity can be maintained in this climate?

What we might be pleased to label the Apex Societies have, to all intents, run out of road. The article reflects this and demonstrates the operational mechanisms.

Are there societies who function on an alternative basis? If there were, they would be found somewhat apart from the mainstream.

For some time we've been encouraged, educated, habituated to the paradigm of the Commons. Maybe it's too late to fix.

Thanks. Tremendous article, late to my view.

RE: coercion in reproduction
Paul Saka
  • U. of Texas, Rio Grande

Wow, dangerous stuff in the 2016 eletter. Would MWS consider not trying to suppress the free exchange of ideas?

RE: coercion in reproduction
M W S
  • Physician
  • Philosopher

Wow, dangerous stuff, this article. Would SCIENCE mag consider removing this from its website?

Information & Authors

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Published In

Science
Volume 162 | Issue 3859
13 December 1968

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© 1968.

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Published in print: 13 December 1968

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Garrett Hardin
The author is professor of biology, University of California, Santa Barbara. This article is based on a presidential address presented before the meeting of the Pacific Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science at Utah State University, Logan, 25 June 1968.
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The Tragedy of the Commons.Science162,1243-1248(1968).DOI:10.1126/science.162.3859.1243

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