Reduction of the Global Human Population : A Rectificatory Argument based on Environmental Considerations

Sammanfattning: Contrary to what many scholars hold, a case can be made for human population reduction (the practice of artificially decreasing the number of human beings on the Earth). Robin Attfield's, Paul Taylor's, Arne Næss's and J. Baird Callicott's theories are considered for justifying human population reduction; however, only Næss's actually justifies reduction. Another argument for human population reduction is developed, based on rectification: humans have unjustly harmed other living entities and themselves, and they should provide rectification for the harm done. Human population reduction is a way in which this rectification can be given.