投资 · 西方古典
托马斯·马尔萨斯:人口论·摘录 3
托马斯·马尔萨斯《人口论》· An Essay on the Principle of Population · 投资
It is an obvious truth, which has been taken notice of by many writers, that population must always be kept down to the level of the means of subsistence; but no writer that the Author recollects has inquired particularly into the means by which this level is effected: and it is a view of these means which forms, to his mind, the strongest obstacle in the way to any very great future improvement of society. He hopes it will appear that, in the discussion of this interesting subject, he is actuated solely by a love of truth, and not by any prejudices against any particular set of men, or of opinions. He professes to have read some of the speculations on the future improvement of society in a temper very different from a wish to find them visionary, but he has not acquired that command over his understanding which would enable him to believe what he wishes, without evidence, or to refuse his assent to what might be unpleasing, when accompanied with evidence.
出处:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4239
定位:Excerpt 3 · 核对日期:2026-10-19 · 核验:短摘录
白话
马尔萨斯说,人口必须被限制在生活资料水平之内,这是许多作家都注意到的明显真理。但据他所知,还没有人特别探究这个限制是如何实现的。而正是这种实现机制,在他看来构成了社会未来大幅进步的最大障碍。他希望读者看到,他讨论这个有趣问题纯粹出于热爱真理,并非对某类人或某种观点有偏见。他读过一些社会未来进步的设想,心态并非想找茬,但他无法凭愿望相信没有证据的东西,也无法拒绝有证据但不讨喜的结论。
上下文
马尔萨斯提出《人口论》核心问题:人口与生活资料如何平衡,以及这一机制对社会进步的阻碍。
今日一问
当证据指向你不喜欢的结论时,你能像马尔萨斯那样接受吗?
公版作品;原文逐字取自 Project Gutenberg,仅摘录段落并附全书链接。
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