Malthus vs. Wordsworth: perspectives on humankind, nature and economy
In this paper the view of humankind and nature upon which the thinking of Malthus is founded will be reflected on and contrasted with the opposed understanding of his contemporary Wordsworth. We show that the economic considerations of both are based decidedly on the premise of these views, and that...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Book/Monograph Working Paper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Heidelberg
University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics
March 2004
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| Series: | Discussion Paper Series / Universität Heidelberg, Department of Economics
no. 404 |
| In: |
Discussion paper series (no. 404)
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Resolving-System, Volltext: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/127221 Verlag, Volltext: http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak18/awi/publications/papers/dp404.pdf 
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| Author Notes: | Christian Becker, Malte Faber, Kirsten Hertel and Reiner Manstetten |
| Summary: | In this paper the view of humankind and nature upon which the thinking of Malthus is founded will be reflected on and contrasted with the opposed understanding of his contemporary Wordsworth. We show that the economic considerations of both are based decidedly on the premise of these views, and that their alternative interpretations of the contemporary economy and the relationship between economy and nature may thus be explained. From the comparison of Malthus and Wordsworth we draw conclusions for modern ecological economics, identifying its Malthusian understanding of nature and reflecting on the capacities and limits implied for further research. We ascribe a central role in the conceptual history of ecological economics to Wordsworth and present his philosophical presumptions as a fruitful alternative for ecological economics. Finally, attention will be drawn to the principle importance of the philosophical foundations underpinning this field of research. |
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| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| Format: | Systemvoraussetzungen: Acrobat Reader. |