Assumption Quote by Kenneth E. Boulding
“As long as man was small in numbers and limited in technology, he could realistically regard the earth as an infinite reservoir, an infinite source of inputs and an infinite cesspool for outputs. Today we can no longer make this assumption. Earth has become a space ship, not only in our imagination but also in the hard realities of the social, biological, and physical system in which man is enmeshed.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Transition to a New Society, 1975
Human activity now treats Earth as a limited vessel, requiring sustainable management of resources and waste.
In simple terms: We must treat the planet like a spaceship with finite supplies.
Key Takeaway
Live sustainably.
Themes
environment
sustainability
systems thinking
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- urban planning
- corporate responsibility
- education curricula
Key Concepts
Ecology
resource limits
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance development with planetary boundaries?
- What policies best reflect a “spaceship Earth” mindset?
A Different Perspective
Economic growth often conflicts with ecological limits.
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