Our author spends considerable time distinguishing between d…
Our author spends considerable time distinguishing between different definitions of “wilderness”—dictionary, legal (de jure), actual (de facto), and the “received view.” He argues that critics often attack the “received view” as a straw man while actual wilderness advocates rely on the legal definition from the Wilderness Act.Explain why our author considers definitional clarity so important in the wilderness debate. What specific features of the Wilderness Act’s legal definition make it more defensible than the “received view” that critics attack? Imagine a critic argues that the Lye Brook Wilderness in Vermont (added to the wilderness system in 1975) shouldn’t qualify as wilderness because it was previously logged and still shows evidence of old logging roads and stone walls from 19th-century farms. Using our author’s framework, how would you respond? Why does his approach to defining wilderness matter for real policy decisions like this?⚠️ Reminder: Submitting any part of this Learning Evaluation created in whole or part using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, etc.) or AI-enhanced writing/translation platforms (e.g., Grammarly, QuillBot, DeepL, Google Translate, Wordtune, Microsoft Editor, etc.) is a violation of this course’s Academic Integrity policy (see Syllabus).Like other forms of plagiarism, it is considered academic misrepresentation or fraud—because you are submitting work generated by someone or something else as your own. This includes editing suggestions or rephrasings produced by AI-based writing assistants.If you’re ever unsure whether something you’re using is allowed, ask first.