Exploring the Text

  1. Why does E. O. Wilson begin with an allusion to Antaeus? How effectively does the allusion serve to introduce the author’s ideas? Explain your response.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - from The Future of Life - Exploring the Text: Why does E. O. Wilson begin with an allusion to Antaeus? How effectively does the allusion serve to introduce the author’s ideas? Explain your response.
  2. Explain the problem that Wilson identifies in paragraph 2. Why does he use economic language to criticize an economic approach to the environment?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - from The Future of Life - Exploring the Text: Explain the problem that Wilson identifies in paragraph 2. Why does he use economic language to criticize an economic approach to the environment?
  3. What are the assumptions underlying the rhetorical question that begins paragraph 6?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - from The Future of Life - Exploring the Text: What are the assumptions underlying the rhetorical question that begins paragraph 6?
  4. In paragraph 8, Wilson writes: “We pummel others with expostulation, and we hunger for sincerity in all our relationships. Even the tyrant is sterling in pose, invoking patriotism and economic necessity to justify his misdeeds.” How would you explain the relationship between those two sentences?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - from The Future of Life - Exploring the Text: In paragraph 8, Wilson writes: “We pummel others with expostulation, and we hunger for sincerity in all our relationships. Even the tyrant is sterling in pose, invoking patriotism and economic necessity to justify his misdeeds.” How would you explain the relationship between those two sentences?
  5. Wilson claims that “when invoking the social contract by which we all live, the typical people-first ethicist thinks about the environment short-term and the typical environmental ethicist thinks about it long-term. Both are sincere and have something true and important to say” (para. 10). Do you agree? Explain your position with examples.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - from The Future of Life - Exploring the Text: Wilson claims that “when invoking the social contract by which we all live, the typical people-first ethicist thinks about the environment short-term and the typical environmental ethicist thinks about it long-term. Both are sincere and have something true and important to say” (para. 10). Do you agree? Explain your position with examples.
  6. In paragraph 12, Wilson uses metaphor and simile to describe the nature of stereotypes. How effectively do these communicate his attitude and meaning?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - from The Future of Life - Exploring the Text: In paragraph 12, Wilson uses metaphor and simile to describe the nature of stereotypes. How effectively do these communicate his attitude and meaning?
  7. How does Wilson use rhetorical strategies to satirize the “people-first critic” (para. 13)? How does he do so for “the environmentalist” (para. 14)?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - from The Future of Life - Exploring the Text: How does Wilson use rhetorical strategies to satirize the “people-first critic” (para. 13)? How does he do so for “the environmentalist” (para. 14)?
  8. Are there reasonable statements in either of the stereotyped characterizations? What are they? How could they be more reasonably expressed so as to be rhetorically effective?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - from The Future of Life - Exploring the Text: Are there reasonable statements in either of the stereotyped characterizations? What are they? How could they be more reasonably expressed so as to be rhetorically effective?
  9. After presenting the two stereotypes, Wilson writes: “The suspicion and anger they express paralyze further discussion” (para. 15). Do you agree?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - from The Future of Life - Exploring the Text: After presenting the two stereotypes, Wilson writes: “The suspicion and anger they express paralyze further discussion” (para. 15). Do you agree?
  10. How effectively does Wilson characterize the precepts of the opposing groups in paragraphs 19 and 20? Do you think his solution is possible? Why or why not?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - from The Future of Life - Exploring the Text: How effectively does Wilson characterize the precepts of the opposing groups in paragraphs 19 and 20? Do you think his solution is possible? Why or why not?
  11. How does the information in the endnotes contribute to the effectiveness of Wilson’s argument? Does it appeal more to ethos, logos, or pathos? Explain.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 12 - from The Future of Life - Exploring the Text: How does the information in the endnotes contribute to the effectiveness of Wilson’s argument? Does it appeal more to ethos, logos, or pathos? Explain.