Socratic Dialogue

(Name (Professor (Subject

xx March 2007

Socratic Dialogue

Q : What do you understand when you hear the word environment

A : My understanding of the environment is quite broad . I believe it encompasses all of nature , which consists of varying external factors that all affect an organism (Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Q : Could you give me an idea of the scope of the term environment by giving me concrete examples

A : I believe the environment encompasses everything that can be found in the natural world , including living and non-living things . Thus

, people animals , plants , water , air , and the soil are all part of the environment (Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Q : From your general understanding of the term , do you have a particular regard on environment ? If so , what is it

A : I have a strong belief that the environment , being responsible for the well-being of all living organisms on earth , must be conserved and protected , for the benefit of all

Q : I feel your deep concern for the environment . I am wondering why this is so . Do you feel that there is a great threat on the continued existence of our environment

A : Yes . I believe that the development of various technologies and the overwhelming growth of population all over the world will eventually take their toll on the environment , through degradation of natural resources or worse , the Online Encyclopedia

Q : I see that you are well aware of the consequences of harmful practices of humans on the environment . Do you have any specific environmental issues in mind that you feel may cause irreparable harm globally

A : Yes . I am deeply concerned about pollution , both in air and water since these resources may not always be available for humans . Also , I am concerned about global warming . For me , these are all harmful effects of the careless and irresponsible attitude of humans in the use of natural resources , which could lead to our own detriment

Q : I am sensing that you are putting all the blame for these environmental problems on humans . Why is that

A : Because global warming and air and water pollution would not occur without the intervention of humans . Pollution is caused by the improper discharge of pollutants into the air or water , which contaminate these resources (Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia . Another harmful effect of pollution is the global decline of forest and marine ecosystems , which would also affect humans in various ways (Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia . With regard to global warming , humans also play a major role in its development as a major problem , because global warming is caused mostly by human activities (Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Q : Really ? What kind of activities cause global warming

A : according to studies , global warming is caused by the burning of fossil fuels , which causes the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere , which , in turn , causes solar heat to accumulate in the earth 's atmosphere (Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Q : Given your knowledge of problems facing the environment , what would...