Answer:
In "Top of the Food Chain," T.C. Boyle uses satire to develop the theme that logic can be disastrous by exaggerating and poking fun at the characters' obsession with scientific reasoning and their disregard for the natural world.
One example of Boyle's use of satire is the character of Dr. Ira Einhorn, a self-proclaimed "environmentalist" who uses his charisma and scientific credentials to manipulate and exploit others. Einhorn's actions, such as his affair with a married woman and his disregard for the safety of his experimental subjects, reveal his true selfish motivations and lack of ethical consideration. By portraying Einhorn as a hypocritical and self-serving "expert," Boyle satirizes the idea that those with scientific knowledge are inherently rational and trustworthy.
Another example of Boyle's use of satire is the character of Dr. Jerry Weber, a pharmaceutical executive who is determined to prove the effectiveness of his company's new weight loss drug, even when it is clear that the drug has dangerous side effects. Weber's single-minded pursuit of profit and his willingness to ignore evidence of harm illustrate the dangers of blindly following logic and the pursuit of profit.
Through these satirical portrayals of Einhorn and Weber, Boyle highlights the negative consequences of prioritizing logic over ethics and the natural world. In conclusion, Boyle's use of satire in "Top of the Food Chain" effectively develops the theme that logic can be disastrous when it is used to justify selfish or harmful actions.