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Simplicity and Sustainability: Pointers from Ethics and Science

Author

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  • Mehrdad Massoudi

    (Center for Nonlinear Analysis, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890, USA)

  • Ashwin Vaidya

    (Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA)

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the notion of simplicity. We use definitions of simplicity proposed by philosophers, scientists, and economists. In an age when the rapidly growing human population faces an equally rapidly declining energy/material resources, there is an urgent need to consider various notions of simplicity, collective and individual, which we believe to be a sensible path to restore our planet to a reasonable state of health. Following the logic of mathematicians and physicists, we suggest that simplicity can be related to sustainability. Our efforts must therefore not be spent so much in pursuit of growth but in achieving a sustainable life.

Suggested Citation

  • Mehrdad Massoudi & Ashwin Vaidya, 2018. "Simplicity and Sustainability: Pointers from Ethics and Science," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:1303-:d:142709
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bong Jae Chung & Kirk McDermid & Ashwin Vaidya, 2014. "On the affordances of the MaxEP principle," The European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, Springer;EDP Sciences, vol. 87(1), pages 1-14, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mariana Man & Maria-Mădălina Bogeanu-Popa, 2020. "Impact of Non-Financial Information on Sustainable Reporting of Organisations’ Performance: Case Study on the Companies Listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-15, March.

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