Preface

Malthus begins by acknowledging William Godwin, as the present essay began as a detailed response to Godwin's arguments regarding population (primarily "On Avarice and Profusion").

In particular, he considers it "an obvious truth" that population must be discouraged from growing beyond the means of its sustenance. Though this is generally acknowledged, he's unaware anyone has actually attempted to calculate exactly where that level is, given the various factors that contribute to the growth and shrinkage of the population.

There is also a profession that he believes this to be necessary to the future improvement of society, and has attempted to remain objective in his assessment, avoiding prejudice against any particular set of men. And, as was common for writers of his day, states the he is open to retracting his present opinions should some more able mind find his thesis in error.