400-600 words reflection on two Gould essays

First, read "The Evolution of Life on Earth." Next, read "The Golden Rule: A Proper Scale for our Environmental Crisis." [These essays are both posted under the Week 10 block.] Then, click "Add Submission" below, and submit a 400-600 word reflection on these readings. Consider how Stephen J. Gould suggests that life doesn't really have a clear progressive plan (in the first essay) but then also argues for ethical and environmental progress (in the second essay). In particular, how does Gould reconcile these very different themes (absence of clear evolutionary progress versus the need for ethical/environmental progress)? Throughout your response, don't hesitate to reflect on how the broader realities we've learned in this class (evolution, history of life, etc.) relate to your own viewpoints and values. Does any of this help you contextualize your educational, moral, and social pursuits? Feel free to take this any way you want, but you'll be graded based on quality writing, coherence, and thoughtfulness.