ABSTRACT
This chapter is also about the long view of the future of humanity and the biosphere. In direct contradiction of the Malthusians’ worldviews, neoclassical economists appear to portray themselves as ‘eternal optimists’.Their optimism is grounded on their unwavering beliefs regarding continued human ingenuity, the smooth functioning of the market system and the possibilities for unabated technological progress.This chapter presents the theoretical arguments for the neoclassical worldview on resource scarcity and economic growth-an extension of the subject matter addressed in Chapter 1. It also provides formal neoclassical responses to the Malthusian prognosis of impending doom. Furthermore, the chapter includes
critical appraisal of the neoclassical worldviews on scarcity and growth.
