Why are ecologists and environmentalists so feared and hated? This is because in part what they have to say is new to the general public, and the new is always alarming.

Quote by Garrett Hardin

Topics: Garrett Hardin Quotes

The rational man finds that his share of the cost of the wastes he discharges...

The rational man finds that his share of the cost of the wastes he discharges...

Moreover, the practical recommendations deduced from ecological principles threaten the vested interests of commerce; it...

Moreover, the practical recommendations deduced from ecological principles threaten the vested interests of commerce; it...

Incommensurables cannot be compared.

Incommensurables cannot be compared.

Fundamentalists are panicked by the apparent disintegration of the family, the disappearance of certainty and...

Fundamentalists are panicked by the apparent disintegration of the family, the disappearance of certainty and...

Indeed, our particular concept of private property, which deters us from exhausting the positive resources...

Indeed, our particular concept of private property, which deters us from exhausting the positive resources...

The only kind of coercion I recommend is mutual coercion, mutually agreed upon by the...

The only kind of coercion I recommend is mutual coercion, mutually agreed upon by the...

To say that we mutually agree to coercion is not to say that we are...

To say that we mutually agree to coercion is not to say that we are...

A finite world can support only a finite population; therefore, population growth must eventually equal...

A finite world can support only a finite population; therefore, population growth must eventually equal...

The optimum population is, then, less than the maximum.

The optimum population is, then, less than the maximum.

Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all.

Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all.

A coldly rationalist individualist can deny that he has any obligation to make sacrifices for...

A coldly rationalist individualist can deny that he has any obligation to make sacrifices for...

In an approximate way, the logic of commons has been understood for a long time,...

In an approximate way, the logic of commons has been understood for a long time,...

Education can counteract the natural tendency to do the wrong thing, but the inexorable succession...

Education can counteract the natural tendency to do the wrong thing, but the inexorable succession...

Of course, a positive growth rate might be taken as evidence that a population is...

Of course, a positive growth rate might be taken as evidence that a population is...

The god who is reputed to have created fleas to keep dogs from moping over...

The god who is reputed to have created fleas to keep dogs from moping over...

A technical solution may be defined as one that requires a change only in the...

A technical solution may be defined as one that requires a change only in the...

However, I think the major opposition to ecology has deeper roots than mere economics; ecology...

However, I think the major opposition to ecology has deeper roots than mere economics; ecology...

In a finite world this means that the per capita share of the world's goods...

In a finite world this means that the per capita share of the world's goods...

Using the commons as a cesspool does not harm the general public under frontier conditions,...

Using the commons as a cesspool does not harm the general public under frontier conditions,...

You cannot do only one thing.

You cannot do only one thing.