the third ethic

3. SETTING LIMITS TO POPULATION AND CONSUMPTION: By governing our own needs, we
can set resources aside to further the above principles. Setting limits to
population is not about limiting people's free movement, tight border controls
and a one child policy. Its about working to achieve a stable human population,
using a number of key strategies. These include: access to family planning;
helping people to meet their basic needs of clean water, adequate food, and
basic healthcare and education; education for girls.

The third ethic recognises that:

a. The Earth’s resources are limited.
b. These resources need to be shared amongst many beings.

Permaculture seeks to divide these resources fairly amongst people, animals
and plants alike, not forgetting future generations who will need food,
water and shelter just as much as we do now. Its 'one planet living'.

Additionally

The 'Prime Directive of Permaculture'
"The only ethical decision is to take responsibility for our own
existence and that of our children." Bill Mollison.

paul wheaton wrote:
The bottom line is that once you take a PDC, you get to use the word permaculture on your stuff.  I took a PDC.  I have visited a lot of farms that say that they are doing permaculture and I really don't see it.  But they took a PDC so they get to call it permaculture.  That's the system.  People that have taken a PDC can put bubble gum on the end of a stick and call it permaculture if they want.  It is unfortunate, but that's the way it is.

paul wheaton wrote:A friend emailed to say he was watching the Mollison/Lawton PDC DVD and Mollison says "I think the eco fascists should be forced to eat nothing but native plants because it will kill them all quicker than anything else"

(edit: Jeez... I just realized how old this thread is. Sorry... I'm new here.)[/quote wrote:

Thanks for bringing this subject back to light. I consider myself a newbie and appreciate older topics that are still relevant today.

jack spirko wrote:Here is how I explain the Third Ethic when I teach it.  

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIRGXSkAFms [/youtube]

I am pretty much done with this at this point.  In my view if you want the third ethic to be "giving stuff away" that is fine as long as you don't attempt force others to do so or tell them they need to, etc.

I see Permaculture as an anarchist movement and cite Mollison's quote of,

"Permaculture is anti-political. There is no room for politicians or administrators or priests. And there are no laws either. The only ethics we obey are: care of the earth, care of people, and reinvestment in those ends."

You can see the citation for that here, http://www.scottlondon.com/interviews/mollison.html

So Paul how the hell do you post stuff so a youtube video is embedded.

Dale Hodgins wrote:Many people are seriously lacking in knowledge. I have no problem at all sharing any knowledge that might be useful to someone else. We have plenty of people here who share knowledge every day. But nobody gets to demand tangible goods. Every penny I give them is a penny not put towards my own goals.

I dealt with some really aggressive begging in Kenya and the Philippines. I did not waver in my resolve to not give any of my earnings away.
.......
I have broken my own rule on this stuff with my fiance's family who have always been amongst the poorest of the poor. But I'm not going to be their benefactor forever. None of her immediate family have finished school, because they were shipped off to be house servants at 8 years old. So I'm offering a time-limited way out of poverty. One has already become a full-time student and two more will start in June when the school year begins. I rented a house and food will be supplied for the duration. It has been made crystal clear that they are expected to stand on their own two feet after their education is complete. They are not to drink, take up any other vice and they are not to produce children while they are still in school.

My fiance has been contacted by more distant relatives, wondering what is in it for them. Nothing. She has two grandmothers who are not on the help list. It's important to set limits and to stick to them.

John Polk wrote:Those who have nothing to share are the most vocal about 'sharing'.

Dale Hodgins wrote: But there are also parables about those who have squandered their resources and at some point there's mention that if an able person will not work, do not let him eat. I can't remember where that one is although it's one of my favorites.