An essay on the principle of population, or, A view of its past and present effects on human happiness, with an inquiry into our prospects respecting the future removal or mitigation of the evils which it occasions / by T.R. Malthus.

  • Malthus, T. R. (Thomas Robert), 1766-1834.
Date:
1878
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on the principle of population, or, A view of its past and present effects on human happiness, with an inquiry into our prospects respecting the future removal or mitigation of the evils which it occasions / by T.R. Malthus. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    25/584
    ESSAY ON THE PRINCIPLE OF POPULATION. 0 BOOK I. OF THE CHECKS TO POPULATION IN THE LESS CIVILISED PARTS OF THE WORLD AND IN PAST TIMES. 0 CHAPTER I. - STATEMENT OF THE SUBJECT. RATIOS OF THE INCREASE OF POPULATION AND FOOD. In an inquiry concerning the improvement of society, the mode of conducting the subject which naturally presents itself, is— 1. To investigate the causes that have hitherto impeded the pro- gress of mankind towards happiness ; and, 2. To examine the probability of the total or partial removal of these causes in future. To enter fully into this question, and to enumerate all the causes that have hitherto influenced human improvement, wouldhe much be- yond the power of an individual. The principal object of the present essay is to examine the effects of one great cause intimately united with the very nature of man ; which, though it has been constantly and powerfully operating since the commencement of society, has been little noticed by the writers who have treated this subject. The facts which establish the existence of this cause have, indeed, been repeatedly stated and acknowledged ; but its natural and necessary effects have beeu almost totally overlooked ; though pro- bably among these effects may be reckoned a very considerable portion of that vice and misery, and of that unequal distribution of the bounties of nature, which it has been the unceasing object of the enlightened philanthropist in all ages to correct. A