Question 1

Which of the following is not "nature" or "natural" according to Aristotle?

Accepted Answer

Aristotle believed that natural objects were those that had an inherent principle of motion and rest within themselves. Therefore, a wooden bed, which is a human-made object, is not considered natural by Aristotle. Molten lava, a breath of fresh air, and a tornado are all examples of natural phenomena that have their own inherent principles of motion and rest.

Question 2

Which of the following is "nature" or "natural" according to Aristotle?

Accepted Answer

D

Question 3

Stephen Jay Gould replicated the "craniometry" research of Samuel G. Morton and concluded that:

Accepted Answer

Cranial size does not indicate intelligence, and there is no significant difference between "races" in cranial size.

Question 4

Where did the idea of the national park originate?

Accepted Answer

The idea of the national park originated in the United States. The first designated national park was Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872. While other countries have established their own national parks, the concept originated in the US as a way to protect and preserve natural areas for future generations.

Question 5

The example of the Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary established in Bharatpur, India demonstrates:

Accepted Answer

The establishment of the Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary in Bharatpur, India demonstrates that humans and nature can coexist in harmony due to their interdependencies. The local villagers were actively involved in the management and conservation of the sanctuary, which provided them with employment opportunities and improved their standard of living, while also benefiting the bird populations and promoting biodiversity.

Question 6

What is an environmental nonproblem?

Accepted Answer

Environmental nonproblem refers to narratives that downplay or deny the existence of environmental issues, often promoted by industries to suppress evidence and avoid regulatory actions.

Question 7

The book argues that under moral holism?

Accepted Answer

The book argues that under moral holism, environmental problems have emerged because we have tried to pretend that we are distinct from nature, people are part of nature, and "Follow nature" is superfluous advice. Therefore, option D, all of the above, is the best choice.

Question 8

The authors' argument that nature is an inescapably social and political phenomenon rests on the assumption that:

Accepted Answer

The authors argue that nature is socially constructed, meaning that human understanding and interpretation of nature is influenced by social and cultural factors. This implies that nature is not an objective, ahistorical phenomenon, but rather a product of human interactions and beliefs.

Question 9

What is one example of environmental determinism?

Accepted Answer

Huntington's claim that climate was correlated with civilization is an example of environmental determinism, the belief that the physical environment determines culture and societal development. Huntington argued that civilizations in temperate regions were more advanced than those in tropical regions due to the more favorable climate for agriculture and settlement.

Question 10

How does the idea of an "ozone hole" exemplify social construction?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does the idea of an "ozone...

Question 11

Which of the following was the tragic example of naturalistic arguments used to promote racism?

Accepted Answer

Morton's Craniometry was a method of measuring skull size and shape to determine intelligence and racial differences. He argued that Caucasians had larger and more developed brains than other races, which made them intellectually superior. This naturalistic argument was used to promote racism and discriminatory practices towards non-white populations.

Question 12

The case of changes in agreement over global warming is a prime example of which concept?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The case of changes in agreement over...

Question 13

What was Ellsworth Huntington's conclusion about the relationship between climate and civilization?

Accepted Answer

Ellsworth Huntington's conclusion was that Europe and the northeastern United States were associated with the highest levels of civilization, indicating a positive relationship between climate and civilization.

Question 14

The author writes, "Wildness is a state of mind more than a state of nature." What does he mean by this?

Accepted Answer

The author is suggesting that the concept of "wildness" is not purely a product of the natural world, but is instead largely a social construct determined by our attitudes and beliefs about nature. Therefore, the state of mind that people have about nature - and how they conceptualize it - is what determines their understanding of "wildness." This aligns with choice D, which suggests that the meaning of nature is socially constructed.

Question 15

How has tourism's rise been closely associated with environmentalism's rise?

Accepted Answer

Environmentalism has focused on valuing and preserving natural resources and environments, which are often located far from one's own home. As tourism has grown and people have traveled more, they have come to appreciate and seek out natural places and environmental experiences, leading to an increase in environmental awareness and activism.

Question 16

The best definition of ghosts of place is:

Accepted Answer

Ghosts of place refers to a sense of the presence of that which is not physically there, such as the memories or spirits of people who have passed away, as well as the absence of people who once inhabited a particular place. It is a term used to describe the emotional and psychological impact of historical events and cultural practices on a landscape or place.

Question 17

What was the primary argument of groups like Negative Population Growth, Zero Population Growth, and FAIR, Population-Environment Balance, according to the text?

Accepted Answer

The primary argument of Negative Population Growth, Zero Population Growth, FAIR, and Population-Environment Balance is that population growth negatively impacts our environment and quality of life, and overpopulation causes environmental degradation, traffic jams, deteriorating infrastructures, and homelessness. They also argue that population growth is primarily from immigration. Therefore, all of the above are the best choice(s).

Question 18

In Climate and Civilization, Ellsworth Huntington concluded that difficult climates produce people with the greatest strength of will, the least idleness, and the highest intelligence needed to survive harsh and extreme conditions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Climate and Civilization, Ellsworth Huntington concluded...

Question 19

Latour and Freudenberg argue that we should conceptualize the social and environmental as distinctly separate categories or ideas.

Accepted Answer

Latour and Freudenberg argue that we should not conceptualize the social and environmental as distinctly separate categories or ideas, but instead recognize the interconnectedness between social and environmental issues.

Question 20

Marx believed that Darwin's theory of natural selectionwas used by elites to suppress the working class.

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that social Darwinism, which applied Darwin's theories to society, was used by elites to justify their power and oppression of the working class. He saw it as a way of naturalizing inequality and exploitation, rather than recognizing it as a human-made phenomenon.

Quiz 9: The Human Nature of Nature