Question

Explain Malthusian philosophy in detail. Why was it referred to as the "dismal science"? Be sure to include the reasons Thomas Malthus believed in this theory and what he ultimately believed was the solution to the problem.

Answer 1

Thomas Malthus's theory on population growth, known as Malthusianism, posited that unchecked population growth would lead to resource deprivation, controlled by 'positive checks' like war, famine, and disease. His theory, which advocated for fewer births as a solution, contributed to economics being termed the 'dismal science'.

Step-by-step explanation:

Thomas Malthus, a British economist and clergyman, introduced a theory in his work An Essay on the Principle of Population, which is now known as Malthusianism. His principle posited that populations grow geometrically, while food supply increases arithmetically; hence, without checks, population growth would eventually outpace food production.

Malthus's bleak outlook on population growth and its inevitable collision with resource constraints led to economics being dubbed the 'dismal science'. He advocated for families to have fewer children to prevent the Malthusian catastrophe—a scenario where unchecked population growth leads to resource depletion and subsequent societal collapse.