GLOBAL WARMING:ECOLOGY AND THE HUMAN SPIRIT.PART 27

Malthus owed the origin of the inspiration,for the first essay,published in 1798 to a conversation with a friend probably his father.The discussion was based on the subject of Mr.William Godwin's essay,on avarice and profusion.In his enquiry,the object was to debate the speculations on the perfectability of man and society,that generated exceedingly great excitement of considerable proportion,during the period.In the first edition he make two postulata,as quoted below: I think,i may fairly make two postulata.First,that food is necessary to the existence. Secondly,that the passion between sexes is necessary and will remain nearly in its present state.'Now,i like this part'.Assuming then my postulata as granted,i say that the power of population is indefinitely greaterthan the power in the earth to produce subsistance for man.Population when unchecked,increases in a geometric ratio.Subsistence,increases only in an arithmetical ratio.A slightacquitance with numbers will shew the immensity of the first power...'.