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