The “Rules of the Game”

1. The “Rules of the Game” The Science of Nature: Science, Ecology and Life

2. Key Terms •  science •  ecology •  energy and useful energy •  elements and process •  cycles •  balance (homeostasis) •  life •  system and ecosystem •  life-support system

3. Science—What is it exactly? • Science is not a thing, it is a way of doing things. • “The Observation, Identification, Description, Experimental Investigation, and Theoretical Explanation of Natural Phenomena” • The Laws of Science do not change and cannot be changed or avoided, but they can be ignored—for a while.

4. The limits of science • We do not know everything. • New knowledge causes us to rethink everything: Quantum Physics, Sub-Atomic Physics, Genetic Engineering. • What we know does not always determine what we do—believe it or not. • A great deal of research is into destruction rather than creativity.

5. Requirements of Science • You must be able to repeat the experiment with precisely the same result or it is not science. • You must be able to measure precisely at every stage; no measurements: no science. • You must not impute into Science any “meaning” or “intent,” it just is.

6. The Objective of Science • You can simply think of science as “finding out” if you wish, but all science has one fundamental purpose. Can you guess what it is? • It is to be able to PREDICT the consequences of known actions. • Without science, everything would be subjective and qualitative, and we would not be where we are today. We would be very confused and would seek explanations outside science as we did for centuries.

7. The focus on Process • Science is about “how” and “why” • In other words we are interested in the process by which things happen • In ecological terms, how does it all work, not: “what does it look like.” • Also, in general, we do not ask “what is it all for?” because in terms of science, it is not for anything. It simply is. • Religions, of course, contradict that view. This? Or this?

8. Now, what about Ecology? • Despite the misuse of the word, it is a Science. We define it as follows: • “The study of the interrelationships between organisms (living things) and their environment. From the Greek word oikos, meaning "house.” • If it’s a science, then in Ecology, what do you measure? Otherwise, it is not a science. So, what do you think it is? • ENERGY

9. Energy • Energy is everything; it is what life is about, the ability to put energy to work. Most people asked to define Energy would be stumped. • energy -- ((physics) the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs; "energy can take a wide variety of forms") • ENERGY IS EVERYTHING AND WE CAN REDUCE EVERYTHING TO ENERGY. THAT IS THE KEY TO THIS COURSE.

10. ALL energy comes from one place—where?

11. Energy: • You can’t make it, you can’t destroy it • But you can change its form and put it to work for you. • Agriculture, for instance, is selectively rechanneling energy through plants that we can use (useful energy) that we call “crops.” Other plants are weeds. • We are all machines for using energy • The tsunami demonstrates many classic properties of energy.

12. Systems • A system is an integrated “machine” for using energy • It requires fuel (food in our case) and burns that (chemically) to maintain our bodies, and allow us to do things (work) • “a group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole” (dictionary definition)

13. Systems are generally self-regulating • Let’s think about this in terms of the system we call homo sapiens. • You need energy, but you cannot absorb it directly from the sun. You get it, directly or indirectly, from those who can. • The food is then burned, broken down, and keeps the body within the small range of temperature tolerance that it needs to function. • What does the system do if the optimum temperature goes up or down? I.e. when the system is not functioning properly?

14. Life-Support System • The “natural environment” is our Life-Support System.” • We evolved with it so we are suited to it as it is—that is very important. • So, if we change our habitat, then there is a question of messing around with our life-support system.

15. So, what is an Eco system? • “A dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit.” • Everything in it will evolve to find its niche of unused energy, until there is no more energy to exploit and it stabilizes. • Different parts of the world, with different energy characteristics, produce different, but stable, ecosystems. The difference between these two contrasting, but stable, ecosystems, is the way that the energy is delivered. For instance, the average temperature, length of day, seasonality, etc.

16. Balance, or “ homeostasis” • Each ecosystem will evolve to the point where the energy coming in, and that going out, are balanced. That is why they stay stable. • If you interfere with the energy equation in one part of the system (agriculture) it will have repercussions through the entire system. • Man has the capacity to make more change than any other species. Why? • Because he has harnessed energy:

17. Cycles • Everything in Nature is Cycled • That is, it is used and then renewed • Think of water and the hydrological cycle—and there are cycles for everything else: oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, etc. • Nature cycles us too. When we die we decompose, and the component parts become the diet of something else, or the building blocks of the future. Round and round it goes.

18. This is the only planet we have. Well, for now.

19. A question of perspective. • There is an additional factor that complicates the nature of our relationship with the environment • That is, are we part of nature just like any other living thing; or are we “special?” • Depends on your religion, and your faith in science and technology in “the service” of mankind. • This is a very complicated matter because it does not involve science, but faith.

20. Other strokes for other folks. • Euro American                 Other Cultural Groups • Mastery over nature        Harmony with nature • Personal control over Environment                      Fate • Doing-activity                   Being • Time dominates                Personal interaction • Human equality                Hierarchy • Individualism/privacy       Welfare of the group • Youth                                Elders • Self help                           Birthright inheritance • Competition                      Cooperation • Future orientation             Past or present orientation • Informality                          Formality • Directness/openness        Indirectness/ritual • Practicality/efficiency      Idealism • Materialism                       Spiritualism/detachment

21. The Judeo-Christian View of Nature • “Although we humans are part of the natural world, we have a unique position in it that makes us superior to all other beings. This is not a matter of physical size or strength, for on that scale of things we are only infinitesimal specks on a planet that is itself but a speck in the infinite reaches of the universe. Rather, the reason humans are regarded as the crown of creation is due entirely to our unique spiritual endowment. Humans have the ability, unparalleled in the natural world, to know God and to attain the transcendent purpose • In the Abrahamic religions, humans are said to have been created as God's "viceregents" and granted the blessing of dominion over all things. All things exist for our benefit, by which we can develop ourselves to become co-creators with God.”

22. The Buddhist View • Respect all forms of life, and then show compassion and affection toward all sentient beings, with the understanding that everything is interdependent - so my happiness and suffering, my well-being, very much have to do with others'. • The Dalai Lama.

23. Conclusion • These topics today cover the key terms for you to know on the science side. • Go to the Home Page, and under “Supplementary Readings” click on “Introductory Lecture” and read through that. • Below that, read “Key Concepts” and be sure that you understand all this. • Check your Reading Schedule on the Homepage for what to read in conjunction with today’s presentation.