Philosopher and ethicist, Sarah Conly explains why the concept of absolute individual autonomy is flawed, and why in most cases, having too much autonomy can actually be harmful for us, both personally and collectively. We also discuss the different methods of external societal guidance to encourage a positive change in beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours, such as education, behavioural nudges, and coercive paternalism. She argues that in light of our current ecological predicament, we do not have a moral right to have more than one biological child, and why we must balance procreative autonomy with procreative responsibility.

76 Is Too Much Autonomy Bad For Us?

To commemorate the 32nd World Population Day on July 11, 2022, we are honored to be joined by the legendary Paul Ehrlich, who also celebrates his 90th birthday this year. Author of over 40 books, including the best-selling book The Population Bomb, published in 1968, Dr. Ehrlich was made more famous by numerous appearances on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson - the largest late night show in the 1960’s and 70’s. We got the rare opportunity to chat with him about his decades-long career in sustainable population advocacy, his studies on natural butterfly populations, as well as his interest in cultural evolution with respect to environmental ethics. We delved into:  the need to end the unhelpful consumption vs. population debate optimal population size and wealth redistribution for a decent standard of living for all the ethics of nation states and borders rights to nature the threat of a nuclear war the impacts of the agricultural revolution on the human jaw the maddening rate of planetary degradation and biodiversity loss a variety of urgent solutions that must be undertaken  ABOUT US The Overpopulation Podcast features enlightening conversations between Population Balance Executive Director Nandita Bajaj, cohost Alan Ware, and expert guests. We cover a broad variety of topics that explore the impacts of our expanding human footprint on human rights, animal protection, and environmental restoration, as well as individual and collective solutions.&nbsp; Find us here:&nbsp; MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

77 Paul Ehrlich: Honoring World Population Day With The Legendary Paul Ehrlich

Affectionately known in Thailand as “Mr. Condom”, one of TIME Magazine’s “Asian Heroes”, and the winner of many awards including the United Nations Gold Peace Medal and the Bill and Melinda Gates Award for Global Health, today’s guest Mechai Viravaidya is the founder and chair of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA). Using creativity, humor, and an unassailable ability to find partners and allies, Mechai championed the most successful family-planning, AIDS prevention, and poverty reduction programs ever known. Through his innovative efforts, Mechai not only brought prosperity to millions by helping to lower the Thai Total Fertility Rate (TFR) from 7 to under 2 within decades, but also was responsible for preventing upwards of 10 million AIDS-related deaths. He now runs some of the world’s most successful social enterprises, including the UN-endorsed Mechai Bamboo Schools, the goal of which is to use schools as a hub for education, community projects, and citizen-engagement. ABOUT US The Overpopulation Podcast features enlightening conversations between Population Balance Executive Director Nandita Bajaj, cohost Alan Ware, and expert guests. We cover a broad variety of topics that explore the intersectional impacts of our expanding human footprint on human rights, animal protection, and environmental restoration, as well as individual and collective solutions.&nbsp; Find us here:&nbsp; MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: