ABSTRACT
Complementing economic reasoning with references to what the author describes as the philosophy of desire can compound arguments against environmental destruction. Social scientists who intend to critique the economic logic do not have to go far, in that a return to classical texts may provide enough food for thought. Practitioners of economics are not allowed friendliness, they are required to describe human motivations as pure and simple, and keep their economic models devoid of such things as goodwill and moral sentiments. The harm caused by economic initiative, therefore, amounts to 'externality'. Economic history is not a noble history: habit and tradition, as indicated by Max Weber, urge human action into limitless development and growth, irrespective of consequences. To conclude, green criminology may find inspiration and novel impetus from the radical critique of economic thought and a dissection of the philosophy of desire.
