Hoping to provide an informal and ongoing forum for discussion of ethical issues, Ethics at Noon hosted a seminar with Paul Ehrlich, Bing Professor of Population Studies in the department of Biological Sciences last Friday.

Ehrlich opened the event, titled “Environmental Ethics and Should Rummy Be Invited to Campus?” with a concrete answer to the question posed in the seminar’s title.

“No, he shouldn’t,” said the author of the groundbreaking 1968 book, “The Population Bomb.”

Ehrlich said that when it comes to ethical issues, Stanford should set an example for the world. He emphasized his disagreement with the year-long Hoover visiting fellowship of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and challenged his appointment on matters of personal integrity.

“Yes, he increased terrorism, so does that make him a scholar?” Ehrlich asked. “The ethical question is: what kind of credentials do you need to be part of Stanford University?”

Ehrlich also addressed the problems of overpopulation, resource over consumption and climate change as matters of public policy. He said the surging economies of countries like China and India will increase global demand for fossil fuels in coming years, and that advances in energy efficiency are unlikely to wholly resolve the problem.

“Driving a Prius is not going to entirely reverse the environmental consequences,” he said.

Ehrlich said increased educational opportunities for women were an important part of reducing world population growth.

“If women in the world had better access to education, better jobs and reasonable pay,” he said. “Birth rates would significantly go down.”

Before opening up the floor to public comments, Ehrlich also acknowledged the need for more interdisciplinary professors at Stanford, as well as a general education curriculum to address environmental and ethical concerns that are not covered by currently required undergraduate courses.

“Humanity may be doomed to disappear in some decades,” if there are no fundamental lifestyle and educational changes, he said.

Many audience members were receptive to Ehrlich’s arguments.

“Stanford is an innovative institution and we have people in very high positions that are trying to make a change,” said Marilyn Cornelius, a first-year graduate student in the Interdisciplinary Program in Environment & Resources. “But if we talk about reducing over-consumption during an eight course dinner, is our process aligned with our goal?

Ehrlich agreed and answered that as a scholarly community, Stanford has a responsibility to train people and let the general public know that engaging in discussion about over-consumption habits and overpopulation is critical. However, it is equally imperative to move forward and change lifestyle patterns, he said.

“If Stanford traces the way,” Ehrlich said. “Others will follow.”