Garrett Hardin: The Case Against Helping the Poor - Essay Example

Garrett Hardin: The Case Against Helping the PoorIn his 1974 essay, Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor, Garrett Hardin argues against any “system of worldwide food sharing” (482). His purpose is to demonstrate the adverse effects of the proposed World Food Bank on population growth and the resulting pressure on resources. Hardin criticizes the ‘spaceship metaphor’ which seeks to assert that every individual on earth has an equal right to an equal share of the available resources.

He claims that the ‘lifeboat metaphor,’ with its emphasis on limited capacity, and necessary adherence to the margin of safety, more accurately depicts the situation. He identifies the unchecked population growth in poor nations as the greatest threat to the earth’s dwindling resources. Hardin draws attention to what he terms “the tragedy of the commons,” according to which the absence of central control will result in any common resource being ruined because “the right of each to use it may not be matched by a corresponding responsibility to protect it” (480).

He equates the World Food Bank with a commons, arguing that this would encourage incompetent governments to ignore setting aside emergency food reserves. He denounces foreign aid in any form, asserting that saving life results in the destruction of the environment and lowers the quality of life.The information presented by Hardin, as far as population growth goes, is not based on hard facts, except for the USA. Talking about population increase in developing countries, he says, “Let us imagine another 210 million people increasing at the rate of 3.

3 percent a year” (Hardin, 479). Obviously, this is only an educated guess on his part. In the same way, Hardin says “Most likely the rate of population increase will decline much faster in the US than it will in the other countries” (480). Again, this is conjecture on his part: even if it is a reasonable conjecture. However, Hardin’s assertion that the population will continue to increase is indisputable and it is clear that the ‘lifeboat’ cannot accommodate everyone. Hardin’s ‘commons’ argument is very well thought out and is based on realistic, logical reasoning.

I cannot but agree with Hardin’s strong indictment of unchecked population growth. The lifeboat analogy is particularly appropriate and graphically demonstrates that the survival of humanity itself depends on curbing population. It cannot be denied that the earth’s resources are being depleted at an alarming rate. However, Hardin’s rigid stand against all forms of aid to poorer countries is difficult to condone. He acknowledges that we live in “a world that must solve real and pressing problems of overpopulation and hunger” (479).

Hardin’s essay appears to propose only one solution: let crop failure and famine periodically kill large segments of the poor in order to conserve natural resources for the welfare of the surviving rich. Hardin succeeds in convincing the reader that the proposed World Food Bank would possibly encourage irresponsible nations to use it as a free meal. Hardin’s criticism of population growth is also very valid. However, his only counter-proposal is the complete halt of any form of aid to poor countries.

Hardin could have strengthened his argument by suggesting some alternative strategies to combat population growth. Perhaps access to the World Food Bank could be conditional, depending on proof of measures implemented to control population. A weakness in Hardin’s argument is its assumption that rich countries can be isolated from the poor. In the present age of interconnectedness, this is unrealistic. Hardin himself acknowledges this in his warning that the members of the lifeboat must constantly guard against boarders.

The major weakness in the passage is its lack of humanitarianism. If Hardin’s argument is carried to its logical conclusion, extending the life span of the elderly, or vaccinating babies is also not advisable. Works Cited.Hardin, Garrett. (1974). “Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor.” Title of Collection. Ed. Editor's Name(s). City of Publication: Publisher, Year. 478-483. Print.Outline.In his 1974 essay, Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor, Garrett Hardin argues against any “system of worldwide food sharing” (482).

His purpose is to counter the proposal to set up a World Food Bank. He identifies the unchecked population growth in poor nations as the greatest threat to the earth’s dwindling resources. Hardin’s criticism of population growth is very valid. However, his suggestion to check population growth by denying aid to poor countries in times of calamity is difficult to accept. Hardin fails to give any alternative, constructive suggestions to solve the problem of hunger and overpopulation.