Final answer:
In the text, the rhetorical question is b. 'Can we truly claim to be intelligent beings if we destroy the very planet that sustains us?' Goodall uses it to emphasize the irony of human intelligence leading to environmental destruction and stresses the possibility of reversing our course through conservation efforts and moral responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rhetorical question presented in the given text is:
b. Can we truly claim to be intelligent beings if we destroy the very planet that sustains us?
Goodall's point with this question and the subsequent discussion is focused on highlighting the paradox of human intelligence and self-destructive behavior. She argues that while humans are capable of remarkable intellectual feats, it is this very intelligence that has led to the degradation of our natural environment, consequently threatening our own survival.
The answer following this rhetorical question deepens this point by underscoring the environmental crisis caused by human actions, emphasizing the moral and ethical duties that come with being the dominant species. This refers to the responsibility we have to preserve the diversity of life (biodiversity) and maintain the natural ecosystems that provide us with vital resources and services.
Moreover, Goodall stresses that despite this destruction, there is still an opportunity ("But all is not lost - - yet.") to rectify our course. Through conservation efforts and sustainable living, humanity can still create a future where both humans and the natural world can thrive. Critical to this are the concepts of moral obligation and the psychological value of living in a diverse, natural environment.