Final answer:
The key themes of "The Coming Second" are existentialism, social inequality, technological impact, and climate change, stressing the limitations of Earth's resources and the need for conscious growth and environmental awareness. Therefore the correct answer is c) It critiques social inequality, with quotes like "The rich get richer, the poor get poorer..."
Step-by-step explanation:
The main ideas of "The Coming Second" involve a profound exploration of the existential crises fueled by various global challenges. This work dives into existential philosophy, social inequality, technological impact, and climate change. These themes are analyzed through different lenses, including scientific and societal perspectives.
One of the overarching messages of the book is the realization that both economic and physical growth has its limits within the finite bounds of our planet. It challenges the idea that technological advancement and human ingenuity alone can solve all future problems, emphasizing that this time is different because we are pushing planetary boundaries like never before.
The work does not shy away from making the reader uncomfortable, as it argues that discomfort and awareness are necessary catalysts for change. It aims to inspire a sense of urgency and responsibility in facing environmental and societal challenges without succumbing to false comfort or fantasies of an unchecked, prosperous future.
Key quotes that illustrate the tone and content of "The Coming Second" might include reflections on the finite nature of Earth’s resources, critiques of unchecked growth, and the importance of facing difficult truths head on.
Therefore the correct answer is c) It critiques social inequality, with quotes like "The rich get richer, the poor get poorer..."