Read the essay "The Tragedy of the Commons" by Garrett Hardin and answer the following questions. (Feel free to make a copy of it for yourself so that you can highlight and annotate it.)
Hardin asserts that the tragedy of the commons has no technical solution. Explain what he means by this statement.
Why would Hardin believe that “the most rapidly growing populations are the most miserable?”
Explain Hardin’s claim that “freedom in a commons brings ruin to all” using a real world example.
In general, what are the two ways that the Tragedy of the Commons may be avoided?
To what extent are “commoners” (users of a commons) able to act to prevent a tragedy of the commons? In other words, under what conditions can a commons exist and not be destroyed or overused?
Why does Hardin believe that we can’t just appeal to people’s conscience to prevent a tragedy of the commons? Specifically, how does this apply to his thoughts on breeding and population growth?
What do you think Hardin means by “mutual coercion, mutually agreed upon”? Give an example from your own life.
To what extent do you agree with Hardin’s argument that “freedom to breed will bring ruin to all”?
