Lesson 12 Four Laws of Ecology (2) --Barry Commoner

1. ChunyanShao (Shandong University) Lesson 12 Four Laws of Ecology (2)--Barry Commoner

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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?

7. P. 4 LPs • Sustain--To experience or suffer • Staggering--astounding or overwhelming; shocking • Screen out--examine in order to test suitability

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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?

14. 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?

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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?

19. 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

20. P.13 General Questions

21. 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