Name: The Environmental Ethics of Overpopulation
Start: 2026-07-07T11:00:00+1200
End: 2026-07-07T11:55:00+1200

The Environmental Ethics of Overpopulation

Tuesday July 7, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am NZST

N3.01

Using Trevor Hedberg’s consequentialist argument for population control, I consider some historical and modern arguments against such control, and suggest responses that address those concerns. In particular, I will argue that economic concerns and anti-colonialist anxieties are misguided. Despite this and even with the best adaptive policies, the world’s environment and climate cannot survive the number of human beings currently on the planet, much less more. While acknowledging legitimate restrictions on coercion and acknowledging the problems of effectiveness, I will suggest that there is value in recognizing a problem even where we have limited solutions. Contrary to Hedberg, I will also argue that modern industrialized societies have special obligations to restrict their procreation rates.

Speakers

Catherine McDonald

Retired, Monash University

Started out interesting in Bioethics and the Ethics of War. Now I'm interested in Environmental Ethics. (I'm interested in AI only if to the degree that I can't tolerate spruikers)

Tuesday July 7, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am NZST
N3.01

Ethics, In Person

AAP 2026 CONFERENCE

Catherine McDonald

Attendees (22)

Get help with the event

AAP 2026 CONFERENCE

Catherine McDonald

Attendees (22)

Log in to save this to your schedule, view media, leave feedback and see who's attending!

Get help with the event