Recognition of the many gaia hypotheses evolved from a symposium on the gaia hypothesis held in 1988. His work on gaia was all selfsupported, from income he earned from other projects. Earth is a living entity responds to changes the same way as we do. Life exists only because material conditions on earth happen to be just right for its existence.
Churches had gaia services, sometimes with new music written especially for the occasion. His speech to morpheus does sound quite similar to our relationship with the environment, which lovelock expands upon in his notable book gaia a new look at life on earth. This book is more an examination of the place of the gaia hypothesis, its principal authors and perhaps science itself in a deep and broad history of thought, than it is of the hypothesis itself. The gaia hypothesis posits that the earth is a selfregulating complex system involving the biosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrospheres and the pedosphere, tightly coupled as an evolving system. One problem with the gaia hypothesis is that, in common with other conjectures in the eld of earth history, its subject matter is remarkably di cult to test by direct experiment watson 1996, 72. It postulates that all living things have a regulatory effect on the earth. James lovelock and the gaia hypothesis new scientist. European society for the study of science and theology arthur c. Gaia hypothesis this was proposed by chemist james lovelock and microbiologist lynn margulis in 1970. This set of theories holds that all organisms on a lifegiving planet regulate the biosphere in such a way as to promote its habitability.
Discover librarianselected research resources on gaia hypothesis from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals. Gaia hypothesis humans, examples, body, used, water. How james lovelock introduced gaia to an unsuspecting. In the early 1970s, he finally went public with the gaia hypothesis, the idea that everything happens for an end. The earth and i is a slender book with an ambitious aim. It is worth quoting a summary by lovelock that explains the difference, taken from his 1979 book gaia. In 1975, two scientists lovelock and epton published the outline for the gaia hypothesis. The gaia hypothesis formulated by james lovelock in the late 1960s presents the notion that our planet is a single selfmanaging organism which regulates the conditions necessary for life. James ephraim lovelock, ch cbe frs born 26 july 1919 is an independent scientist, environmentalist, and futurist. The hypothesis was developed in the 1970s by james lovelock with lynn margulis. Jul 03, 20 a new book presents the first detailed and comprehensive analysis of the famous gaia hypothesis, and finds it to be inconsistent with modern evidence. The scientists might have hated gaia, but the general public loved it. A new look at life on earth oxford landmark science new ed by lovelock, james isbn. It also provoked a lot of research, and the resulting body of information has encouraged lovelock to publish this second book, a more confident and complete exposition of the gaia hypothesis.
The gaia hypothesis, as it then was, is simply put. How james lovelock introduced gaia to an unsuspecting world. Professor tyrrells book submits the gaia hypothesis to detailed scrutiny, subjecting each of three main arguments put forward in support of gaia. It is spurring a great deal of scientific research into the geophysiology of our living planet. Books about gaia hypothesis what should i read next. This video is a supplement to the book, ecological identity.
Aug 27, 2010 the gaia hypothesis, as it then was, is simply put. The earth is a super organism that, like many living creatures, regulates its internal environment. In short, the gaia hypothesis is highly recommended reading. Sep 16, 2000 the gaia hypothesis was a huge delight to some, but it was a huge provocation to others. Overall, the gaia theory is a compelling new way of understanding life on our planet. The gaia hypothesis goodreads meet your next favorite book. They proposed this earth as a selfregulating complex system to maintain the conditions for life.
The gaia hypothesis, now accorded the status of gaia theory, is maturing with experience and the tests of time, not unlike the humans of this book. In response, lovelock contended that, in no way is this gaia theory. This version is the 2000 reissue with a new preface, corrections, and a further reading list of more recent frequently it is important to go back and read the original work that started a movement or a paradigm change, even if it seems old or outdated. Gaia philosophy named after gaia, greek goddess of the earth is a broadly inclusive term for related concepts that living organisms on a planet will affect the nature of their environment in order to make the environment more suitable for life. Peterson a good read, with genuine insights into the characters and careers of lovelock and margulis and the general zeitgeist that accounted for the positive reception of the gaia hypothesis by the general public. I pointed out that the singular term, the gaia hypothesis, was being applied to many different propositions, ranging from. Science on a pagan planet when james lovelock came up with the gaia hypothesis, today also commonly referred to as gaia theory, he likely didnt know it. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A critical investigation of the relationship between life and earth, dr. Apr 10, 2020 it is worth quoting a summary by lovelock that explains the difference, taken from his 1979 book gaia. Lovelock, gaia and nuclear power books the guardian. He concludes that the gaia hypothesis does not have enough scientific data to support it. This scientific hypothesis was based on 2 premises.
The ages of gaia is easily readable for the educated layperson, but includes plenty of scientific depth. Formulated by james lovelock in the mid1960s and published in a book in 1979, this controversial idea has spawned. Ruse traces gaia s connection to plato and a long history of goal. The gaia hypothesis, also known as gaia theory or gaia principle, proposes that all organisms and their inorganic surroundings. After its publication in james lovelocks book gaia. Jun 25, 2019 each volume made its case more forcefully than the last, exploring what was known first as the gaia hypothesis, then simply as gaia, and the hazards facing either the biosphere or humanity. Lovelock tries to break his science down into terms an average reader can grasp, but the mechanics of the earth can prove hard to follow. This hypothesis, known as the gaia hypothesis, states that the earth is alive. A new look at life on earth it revolutionized the perspective of earth as a living being and. The physiology of animalbuilt structures, offers a robust defense of gaia theory. Gaia exhibits local entropy reduction which is a character of life, but so does the galaxy with star formation in the spiral arms. Gaia hypothesis 1 gaia hypothesis the study of planetary habitability is partly based upon extrapolation from knowledge of the earths conditions, as the earth is the only planet currently known to harbour life. A new look at life on earth oxford landmark science.
A group of geophysicists and others came together to discuss the hypothesis, an event in itself that helped fuel its acceptance. His gaia hypothesis has gained a tremendous following, though debate about it continues in the scientific and lay communities. Many scientists in particular also criticised the approach taken in his popular book gaia, a new look at life on earth for being teleological. This describes the basics of the gaia hypothesis or theory.
Jun 17, 2014 gaia hypothesis reveals the mutual interactions conflictual or symbiotic between 1 the various institutions that comprise society, 2 science itself one of these institutions, and 3 the work of the scientist. Ruse traces gaias connection to plato and a long history of goal. Gaia the earth is called gaia, after the greek goddess of the planet. Sandy, at the second agu conference on the gaia hypothesis. Youll enjoy learning about science, nature, literature, world religions and more with our curated library of enlightening documentaries. James lovelock is the originator of the gaia hypothesis now gaia theory. Hes best known for his gaia hypothesis, and for inventing some remarkable scientific instruments. The gaia hypothesis, also known as gaia theory or gaia principle, named after earth goddess gaia, indicates that living organisms interact with their nonliving inorganic surroundings on earth to selfregulate the earth environment, a complex system that contributes to maintaining the conditions for life on the planet. Gaia is a book i have wanted to read for a long time. Gaia hypothesis simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. I pointed out that the singular term, the gaia hypothesis, was being. Life may be the product of blind chance and opportune circumstance, but once it has established itself on a planet, it takes over.
In 1965 english scientist james lovelock had a flash of insight. The book is thought provoking and has been updated well in this edition, although the importance of chaos theory to support the gaia theory is not adequately explored. Pdf james lovelock, gaia theory, and the rejection of. Each volume made its case more forcefully than the last, exploring what was known first as the gaia hypothesis, then simply as gaia, and the hazards facing either the biosphere or humanity. This idea argues that earth is able to maintain conditions that are favorable for life to survive on it, and that it is the living things on earth that give the planet this ability. It argues that we are far more than just the third rock from the sun, situated precariously between freezing and. Gaia hypothesis simple english wikipedia, the free. The gaia hypothesis was first scientifically formulated in the 1960s by the independent research scientist james lovelock, as a consequence of his work for nasa on methods of detecting life on mars. Pdf james lovelock, gaia theory, and the rejection of fact. James lovelock started to write this book in ireland 1974 against the backdrop of the cold war and the start of the environmental movement, a legacy bequeathed by rachel. Gaia hypothesis, model of the earth in which its living and nonliving parts are viewed as a complex interacting system that can be thought of as a single organism.
This whole system of animate and inanimate parts takes care of itself all the time. The hypothesis contends that this system as a whole, called gaia, seeks a physical and chemical environment optimal for contemporary life. They embraced lovelock and his hypothesis with enthusiasm. A new book presents the first detailed and comprehensive analysis of the famous gaia hypothesis, and finds it to be inconsistent with modern evidence. A new book, the medea hypothesis, looks at the opposite of the gaia hypothesis and suggests that life on earth is selfdestructive. His new book is a hymn to science, and to gaia and to. He is best known for proposing the gaia hypothesis, which postulates that the earth functions as a selfregulating system. Green peace and other environmental groups have embraced. Feb 12, 2010 a new book, the medea hypothesis, looks at the opposite of the gaia hypothesis and suggests that life on earth is selfdestructive. List of books and articles about gaia hypothesis online research. Up to 20 books are listed, in descending order of popularity. The gaia hypothesis was a huge delight to some, but it was a huge provocation to others. A flagrant example of such interactions are darwins attitudes towards catastrophic rapid change in the natural world. The gaia pronounced gayah hypothesis is the idea that earth is a living organism and can regulate its own environment.
The gaia theory offers insights into climate change, energy, health, agriculture, and other issues of great, if not urgent, importance. In essence, this hypothesis holds that the living species of earth have coevolved so as to regulate essential. The gaia hypothesis, first put forth in the mid1960s, and published in book form in 1975, has had a radical effect on scientific views of evolution and the environment. Fact, theory, and wishful thinking 393 clarify and focus the gaia debate, which seemed to be at risk of becoming a shouting match between disciples and detractors. Gaia a new look at life on earth by james lovelock. Gaias extensive documentary collection brings you eyeopening films from around the globe to inform, awaken and inspire you. Newscom a scientist argues in a new book that life on earth is. While perhaps agreeable to many an artistic or spiritual soul, the very statement of the hypothesis rankled some scientists. Finding your place in a biological world and the biology curriculum.
Ruse succeeds in illustrating the influence that older ways of thinking have on the modern. In the gaia hypothesis, philosopher michael ruse, with his characteristic clarity and wit, uses gaia and its history, its supporters and detractors, to illuminate the nature of science itself. Gaia emerged in the 1960s, a decade when authority was questioned and status and dignity stood for nothing, but its story is much older. Fiercely debated by biologists, chemists, and cyberneticists, it has been the subject of numerous conferences and a bbc special which aired on public tvs nova series. This slender book pp is something of a coda to james lovelocks long, distinguished career as a scientist and engineer. Earth is a living entity responds to changes the same way as. How design emerges from life itself, he counters the prevailing idea that systems like gaia are incompatible with darwinism.
What gaia theory can tell us about the outbreak of novel. Toby tyrrell, for the first time, conducts a lengthy analysis of the scientific data for and against the gaia hypothesis. The books most memorable slogan was actually quipped by a student of margulis. In contrast to lovelocks later books the revenge of gaia and vanishing gaia, which are dire warnings, gaia is simply the presentation of the original hypothesis, and in a very elegant way at that, to make it accessible to the nonscientist too. Put that way, city life is philosophically discordant with lovelocks gaia hypothesis.
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