Extensions of knowledge do not always enlarge our capacity for control. This holds true for our relation to nature, some of whose phenomena are alterable by man while others are not. Despite all increase in our information about heavenly phenomena, some lie entirely beyond human influence. For instance a geologist studies the nature of the earthquakes but he cannot cause or prevent this occurrence. In some cases, we are ourselves the determinants of nature, since the use we make of natural forces produces the result we have caused. One such recent matter is the use of plastic.
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