"shopenhauseri" - 1 õppematerjal

Pessimism vs optimism

Pessimism vs. Optimism Different approaches to the ‘population-resources’ debate  Malthus Task: View figure 13.57 (page 378 of Waugh). Draw the graph and discuss. Malthus believed that there was a finite optimum population in relation to food supply and that an increase beyond that point would lead to a decline in living standards and to war, famine and disease.  An increase in the population above the optimum limit would therefore lead to war, famine and disease.  A PESSIMISTIC approach  Thomas Malthus (1798) proposed his work during the early stages of the industrial revolution when inadequate food and clothing were common features in England.  His argument was that population increases (geometrically) or at an exponential rate if unchecked i.e. 1-2-4-8- 16-32 etc  Food supply at best increases at an arithmetic rate i.e.1-2-3-4-5-6 etc  ...