T 11/23 Garrett Hardin, “The Tragedy of the Commons”

Topic: The social consequences of individualism

1. Why does Hardin believe that unrestrained population growth conflicts with the utilitarian principle of maximizing the good?

2. What is the tragedy of the commons and why, according to Hardin, does each individual member of the community have a rational incentive to use the commons to the point of its ruin?

3. Why does Hardin hold that restrictive measures rather than appeals to conscience are the appropriate way to deal with population growth?