Nelson, Robert H. 1995. "Sustainability, Efficiency, and God: Economic Values and the Sustainability Debate." Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 26: 135-54.

Thesis: "The conflicting values implicit in mainstream economics and in ecological economics partly reflect deep underlying theological differences. These differences can be traced back to old messages of the Judeo-Christian tradition, now being manifested in secular form" (Abstract, p. 135).

Summary:

Nelson argues that economists tend to determine the value of nature in terms of resources, that is in terms of its contribution to human consumption. Poverty tends to be considered the cause of all "evil behavior" including environmental degradation and so alleviation of poverty is a crucial goal. Further, these values accompany the language of economics as it infiltrates most discussions of environmental issues. A problem, according to Nelson, is that economics, an academic discipline, is misleading in that it claims to be scientifically objective, but is not. He notes, "in general, the economic way of thinking argues that public policy should be determined by the end of achieving efficient use of resources to maximize production and consumption, not by the moral desirability of the physical methods and social institutions used to achieve this end" (p. 139).

There are four elements to the "economic way of thinking" (see p. 138):

The value system of economics begins with the fact that economics is a social science, and thus it is about the interactions of people and their welfare

If any one item is not available for human us in the future, economists expect that people will be able to obtain a suitable substitute

Another way of saying this is that the economic way of thinking rejects the idea that some things are literally 'priceless'

Well-being is derived from consumption

The next section addresses the relationship between economic values and sustainability including a discussion of the value of growth. Nelson connects the economists' value system with that of religion, "At the heart of the religious side of economics is a conviction of the powerful value gains of economic growth. Economists might be said to be the 'priesthood' for a secular religion of growth" (p. 143). Nelson critiques the mainstream economist's position with reference to market indicators of resource scarcity and certain accounting practices (see p. 147).

Nelson concludes by addressing positivist philosophy and belief in an objective science. This philosophy requires scientific theory to remain separated from value questions. However, today's questions of sustainability, efficiency and growth are inherently value-laden. Further, the positivist economic philosophy is also value-laden in that it is derived from the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Keywords: growth, ecology, idea of progress, economics profession, religion