HEN 670 FINAL EXAM

Answer the first two questions and three of the next five.  Each answer should be typed and between
300-400 words.  You may consult the book but must work independently.  All answers must be
submitted by December 19 at 11:59 PM by email to bfath@towson.edu


1)      What is sustainability and how has your understanding of it changed from reading the book?


2)      Open systems are sustained by a continuous flow of energy (almost entirely solar radiation
for Earth systems).  What is the role of gradients and autocatalytic cycles in this energy
utilization to promoting or inhibiting sustainability?


3)      A core hypothesis of the book is that living systems are successful at preserving and
enhancing the environmental context in which they live.  We also assume (implicitly) that this
happens without intentionality.  What is the main mechanism that we propose to allow such synergies
to emerge.  Why is this missed in the standard approach?


4)      We are quite critical of reductionism employed in evolutionary theory throughout the book,
yet the standard theory has allowed for greater understanding and great breakthrough in biological
sciences.  What would an holistic – environment-centered evolutionary theory look like and how
might those breakthroughs be different?


5)      Throughout the book, we mentions that machines are very useful, but not for the systemic
task we have at hand.  Embrace the dialectical thinking approach of Elbow, and answer the question
from the position of a transcender:  If the machine metaphor does not work, then it means we need
better machines. What would such machines look like?



6)      We imagine we will achieve an organic unity and empowerment by which we and our planetary
environment co-develop and co-evolve in mutually beneficial synergy such that human Life and Earth
environment both improve in quality over time. Does this sound naively optimistic and idealistic?
If yes, what are the main barriers?  If no, what are the main signs this will happen? (Answer
either yes or no, but not both)



7)      The book gives many new angles to the question: What is life?  Chapter 7 describes the
biosphere as:

“a momentary, whirlpool-like by-product of the irreversible dissipation of the sun.”

What is meant by this?  Is it an example of discrete life or sustained life?  How can it be
implemented in biological studies and in social science studies?