Is Overpopulation a Growth? The Pathology of Permanent Expansion

Abstract

Both economic and population growth are commonly understood as an indefinite, quantitative increase that is both necessary and desirable for human well-being. In contrast, proponents of a steady state economy and of the de-growth movement have advocated for an end to the dominant ideology of growth as a way to tackle environmental problems, but have eschewed a deeper questioning of the meaning of growing. In the final section of the article, I put forth an alternative, qualitative notion of human growth that embraces both our unfolding as a species and a conscious acceptance of our finitude and limits.