Lesson 12 Four Laws of Ecology (2)--Barry Commoner
Chunyan Shao (Shandong University)
Organization Part I (1-8): Nature knows best. (P.1-2): Introduction to the Law (P. 3-4): Nature knows best in biological system. (P. 5-7): Nature knows best in organic chemistry. (P. 8): Conclusion Part II (9-10): There is no such thing as a free
lunch. Part III (11): Conclusion of the Four Laws Part IV (12-14): The literary heritage and the
scientist’s awareness of environmental crisis
P. 1 LPs & Questions Pervasive—being present throughout; permeative Improve on-- to produce something which is better,
more useful etc Bald-- Undisguised; blunt Detrimental--Causing damage or harm; injurious
Why will this principle be rejected? What is the unique competence of human beings? What is the modern technology intended to do? In what sense is the claim extreme?
P. 2 LPs Poke--To push or jab at, as with a finger or an
arm; prod Works--Internal mechanism Finite--Having bounds; limited: At issue--in question; in dispute Try out--To test or use experimentally Compatible--Capable of existing or
performing in harmonious, agreeable, or congenial combination with another or others
In effect--In essence; to all purposes
P. 2 Analysis
Follow exactly the format of Paragraph 2 and describe the situation with the ecosystem.
For example, what is analogous in ecosystem to a random poke of a pencil?
Replace all the words in watchmaking with the words in ecosystem.
P. 3 LPs & Questions
Induce--To bring about or stimulate the occurrence of; cause
Albeit--Even though; although; notwithstanding
What is the risk of being exposed to X-rays?
P. 4 LPs
Sustain--To experience or suffer Staggering--astounding or
overwhelming; shocking Screen out--examine in order to test
suitability
P. 4 Questions
Why would a change in a living organism tend to kill that organism?
Will the living things that are incompatible to the whole system survive?
Why will it be unable to survive? What role does evolution play? Win what sense is the current
ecosystem best?
P. 5 General questions
Will some of the organic compounds be made better if they are replaced with man-made materials?
What is the consequence of introducing artificial element into the living natural system?
P. 6 LPs
Foregoing-- Said, written, or encountered just before; previous
Reason-- To determine or conclude by logical thinking
Wanting-- Not measuring up to standards or expectations, inadequate in amount or degree
Carcinogenic-- causing or tending to cause cancer
P. 6 Questions & Analysis Which is more, the varieties existing in
living things or the possible varieties? How many examples does the author
give to support the statement that the living things allow a very restricted varieties of chemical substances?
--protein types --Fatty acid --Attached nitrogen and oxygen --DDT
P. 6 Analysis
How is the paragraph organized? Topic: restricted Supporting details: Obviously, protein In the same way, fatty acid Similarly, attached nitrogen
and oxygen And, I would suppose from the
fact that DDT
Ps. 7 LPs & Questions Break down—decompose Provision--A preparatory action or measure Enforce--To impose (a kind of behavior, for
example); compel
What is one of the striking facts about the chemistry of living systems?
What will happen if a new thing that is not compatible with nature is introduced to nature?
P. 8 LPs & Questions
Operationally—in practice Disseminate--To scatter widely, as in
sowing seed
What is the right attitude towards the man-made materials?
Under what circumstances would this prudence be impossible?
P. 9 LPs
Illuminating--serving to inform or clarify; instructive
Potentate--One who has the power and position to rule over others; a monarch
On pain of--at risk of experiencing something bad
Tome--One of the books in a work of several volumes
P. 10 Analysis: Four Laws restated First Law: The global ecosystem is a
connected whole Second Law: nothing can be gained
or lost Third Law: the connected whole is
not subject to over-all improvement Fourth Law: anything extracted from
the whole by human effort must be replaced.
P. 12 LPs
Enmesh--To entangle, involve, or catch in or as if in a mesh
Interplay--Reciprocal action and reaction; interaction
Incisive--Penetrating, clear, and sharp, as in operation or expression
P. 12 Questions
What is embarrassing? What did Whitman describe about
the complex web? What is described in Moby Dick? What is Mark Twain critical of?
P.13 LPs
Condone--To overlook, forgive, or disregard (an offense) without protest or censure
Assault--A violent physical or verbal attack
Avid--Having an ardent desire or unbounded craving; greedy
Elucidate--To make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify
take someone unawares—to surprise or startle
P.13 General Questions
P. 14 LPs
Miasma--A thick, vaporous atmosphere or emanation:
Literal--Avoiding exaggeration Factual--Of the nature of fact; real Perceptive—sensitive, keen in
discernment
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