Pre-Modern Population Doctrine

❑ What is Doctrine?
➢ Doctrine is a statement of someone based on their belief.

➢ There is no law/logic/rationality.

➢ We saw it on Pre Modern society.

➢ Doctrine serves as a framework for understanding and navigating complex ideas or system.

➢ World wide it is not acceptable in modern society.

➢ So doctrine is a set of principles,beliefs that form the foundation of a particular

ideology,religion,philosophy or system of thought(Sandru,2013)
❑ What is Pre modern population doctrine?
• The term “Pre-modern population doctrine" refers to historical perspectives on
population growth and control.
• Before the emergence of modern demographic science, societies held diverse beliefs
and practices regarding population dynamics.

Characteristics

Cultural Religious Traditional

Influence doctrine practices
❑ Ancient Judaism(-1300 B.C)

• Divine Mandate for Fertility:

➢ Genesis 1:28 emphasizes the divine command to "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill
the earth."
➢ Fertility seen not only as a biological imperative but also a religious duty.
• Significance of Lineage and Family:
➢ Family continuity is pivotal, with a strong emphasis on inheritance and maintaining
family ties.
• Sanctity of Life:
➢ Life is sacred; protecting and preserving life are fundamental principles.
• Moral and Communal Responsibility:
➢ Population matters are tied to moral and ethical considerations.
➢ Practices like levirate marriage showcase a sense of communal responsibility.
❑ CONFUCIOUS(-500 B.C)

• Role of Government:
➢ Population growth is good but but need balance by government.

• Filial Piety:
➢ Central virtue of respecting and obeying parents and ancestors.
➢ Emphasis on family values may indirectly influence family planning and demographics.

• Social Harmony:
➢ Emphasis on maintaining social harmony and order.
➢ Well-ordered societies contribute to the well-being of the population.
Saint Augustin(AD. 400)

• Sexuality and Sin:

• Original sin shapes Augustine's views on sexuality.
• Sexual desire within marriage seen as tainted by sin.
• Purpose of Marriage:
• Marriage as a remedy for concupiscence and for procreation.
• Emphasis on procreation aligns with a pronatalist stance.
• Limiting Procreation:
• Acknowledges potential overpopulation.
• Advises against intentional procreation limits, promoting abstinence.

• Population Control Terms:

➢Antinatalist Perspective:Discourages procreation for reasons other than
avoiding sin.
➢ Pronatalist Stance:Emphasis on procreation within marriage aligns with
traditional Christian values.
•
❑ ST.Thomas Aquinas(1280)
•Marriage as a Sacrament:
➢ Marriage seen as a sacrament and natural institution.
➢ Important for companionship, mutual support, and responsible
procreation.

•Celibacy and Moderation:

➢ A dvocated for celibacy in certain contexts.
➢ Emphasized moderation in all aspects of life.

• Implications for Population:

➢ Aquinas' views rooted in natural law and sacramental marriage.
➢ Emphasis on responsible procreation within moral bounds.
❑ IBNE KHALDUN(A.D. 1350)

➢ Pupolation is good for society.

➢ Khaldun links population growth to the rise and fall of civilizations.
➢ Emphasizes the importance of socio-economic conditions and resource availability
➢ Population doctrine in Khaldun's theories is embedded in the broader context of the rise
and fall of civilizations.
❑ PHYSIOCRATES(A.D 1700)

• Laissez-Faire:
➢ Advocated laissez-faire policies for population growth.
➢ Argued for natural economic laws guiding demographics.

• Agriculture's Role:
➢ Viewed agriculture as key to prosperity.
➢ Saw population growth positively when supported by agriculture.

• Physiocrats emphasized agriculture, laissez-faire, and natural laws in their population

doctrine.
• Lasting impact on economic thought and policy.
❑ Mercantilism(A.D. 1500-1800)

• Mercantilists saw a large population as an asset for economic power.

• Aimed to increase population for military and economic advantage.
• Encouraged policies such as pro-natalist measures to boost population.
• Saw population as a resource to enhance economic and military capabilities.
▪ Plato-(360 BC)
▪ Population quality more important than quantity
▪ Plato emphasized the importance of population stability rather
than growth
▪ His laws shows that an optimum population in a city-state
controlled by censure,immigration and emigration.
▪ Aristotle-(340 BC)
▪ Population should be limited,
abortion might be appropriate
▪ There is no limit to the growth of population if it is left
uncontrolled
▪ Cicero-(50 BC)
▪ Population growth is necessary to maintain Roman influence
▪ Roman empire was in lack of population