It postulates that all living things have a regulatory effect on the earths environment that promotes life overall. 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. Organisms can greatly affect their environments, and the feedback coupling between organisms and their environments can shape the evolution of both. The gaia hypothesis first articulated by james lovelock and lynn margulis in the 1970s holds that earths physical and biological processes are inextricably connected to form a selfregulating, essentially sentient, system. England and lynn margulis, department of biology, boston university, 2, cummington street, boston, mass. The gaia hypothesis says that the temperature, oxidation state, acidity, and certain aspects of the rocks and waters are kept constant, and that this homeostasis is maintained by active feedback processes operated automatically and unconsciously by the biota. Lhypothese gaia, appelee egalement hypothese biogeochimique, est une hypothese. The concept of gaia, a selfregulating earth, excites both admiration and obloquy. The gaia hypothesis synonyms, the gaia hypothesis pronunciation, the gaia hypothesis translation, english dictionary definition of the. Time records, daisyworld the earth system actively gaia hypothesis selfregulates. In proposing this theory, james lovelock sought to explain the many complex natural. Gaia hypothesis article on the website environment and ecology. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Gaia hypothesis article about gaia hypothesis by the. This 30 minute video was produced by the lewis research center as part of their nasa at work series. Carbon dioxide and methane concentrations over the last four glacial cycles, from figure 1. Underlying many of the issues pak examines in this study is the influence of the gaia hypothesis. 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. Oct 25, 2015 this system as a whole called gaia seeks a physical and chemical environment optimal for contemporary life. The theory you asked about is known as the gaia hypothesis.
Beyond these generally accepted facts, the gaia hypothesis advances three central propositions. Fiercely debated by biologists, chemists, and cyberneticists, it has. Gaia hypothesis article on the website environment and ecology deep time walk this is a 4. While this concept has its origins in the work of american oceanographer alfred c. Lovelocks gaia theory states that, for much of the past 3. We should get on with it, as free as possible from our preconceptions of the. A number of distinct hypotheses have been proposed, spanning a range from the self.
The hypothesis, which is named after the greek goddess gaia, was formulated by the scientist james lovelock and codeveloped by the microbiologist lynn margulis in the 1970s. Extending the domain of freedom, or why gaia is so. Apr 27, 2008 gaia also helps to explain how the oceans are kept in balance. Indeed, evolution favours those species that are able to keep the 286 environment under specific conditions that are assumed. In ancient greek mythology, gaia is the earthmother goddess, the deity that gives life to all others. Pdf the revenge of gaia download full pdf book download. Basic evolutionary theory disproves this almost completely survival of the fittest what does lynn margulis say makes dawkins views on evolution and the gaia hypothesis compatible. The gaia hypothesis, also known as gaia theory or gaia principle, proposes that all organisms and their inorganic surroundings on earth are closely integrated to form a single and self regulating complex system, maintaining the conditions for life on the planet. Sep 14, 2018 according to lovelock and marguliss gaia hypothesis, living things are part of a planetaryscale selfregulating system that has maintained habitable conditions for the past 3. The hypothesis was developed in the 1970s by james. The gaia hypothesis university of california, berkeley. Gaia hypothesis simple english wikipedia, the free. 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. Hence forward the word gaia will be used to describe the biosphere and all of those parts of the earth with which it actively interacts to form the hypothetical new entity with proper ties that could not be predicted from the sum of its parts.
The gaia hypothesis article about the gaia hypothesis by. Gaia and taoism transcript of the paper presented to the 2nd chapman conference on gaia theory at the university of valencia, june 2000 by peter horton today i want to explore what i feel is perhaps the most challenging philosophical implication of gaia theory, which is that, in a profound way, gaian processes exist beyond morality. The gaia theory posits that the earth is a selfregulating complex system involving the. He argues that the anthropocene the age in which humans acquired planetaryscale technologies is, after 300 years, coming to an end. The gaia hypothesis, also known as gaia theory or gaia principle, proposes that all organisms and their inorganic surroundings. 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 emerged in the 1960s, a decade when authority was questioned and status and dignity stood for nothing, but its story is much older. The gaia hypothesis the gaia hypothesis is a hypothesis that was developed by james lovelock and lynn margulis in the late 1970s. For more than a century students of the evolution of the living and nonliving parts of the earth have known that life influences the physical and chemical characteristic of the planet. The gaia hypothesis synonyms, the gaia hypothesis pronunciation, the gaia hypothesis translation, english dictionary definition of the gaia hypothesis. Put on the controversy agenda by james lovelock, initially together with lynn margulis, the meanings of gaia range from a metaphor of earthbiosphere interaction, the subject of modern earth system science, to viewing earth as a somehow living organism.
If you could look long enough, you would see the swirling of the great drifts of white cloud, covering and uncovering the halfhidden masses of land. Rivers dissolve salt from rocks and carry it to the ocean, yet ocean salinity has remained at about 3. To license this film and get a higher quality version for broadcastfilm purposes, contact av geeks llc. The gaia hypothesis definition of the gaia hypothesis by. The gaia pronounced gayah hypothesis is the idea that earth is a living organism and can regulate its own environment. Greek poet hesiod describes the simultaneous birth of eros. Download pdf thegaiahypothesis free online new books.
As hamilton 1995 has put it, right or wrong, gaia presents the claim for an evolution of a supreme balance of nature. The gaia theory has already inspired ideas and practical applications for economic systems, policy, scientific inquiry, and other valuable work. The scientifically accepted form of the hypothesis. Aloft, floating free beneath the moist, gleaming, membrane of bright blue sky, is the rising earth, the only exuberant thing in this part of the cosmos. Gaia hypothesis definition of gaia hypothesis by medical. Lovelocks theory that life all clubs together for some sort of mutual advantage is inconceivable. The gaia hypothesis proposed that life on earth is a selfregulating system involving the biosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the pedosphere skin of soil and living organisms, all of which are intimately integrated as an evolving complex system. 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.
The gaia hypothesis implies that the stable state of our planet includes. The gaia hypothesis central theme is that biological processes homeostatically maintain, on a planetary scale, geochemical and climatic conditions favorable for life. Professor lynn margulis of boston university speaks before an audience of nasa employees in 1984 to explain the gaia hypothesis. Gaia hypothesis humans, examples, body, used, water. Gaia hypothesis article about gaia hypothesis by the free. James lovelock, creator of the gaia hypothesis and the greatest environmental thinker of our time, has produced an astounding new theory about future of life on earth. In proposing this theory, james lovelock sought to explain the many complex natural mechanisms that the earth has for regulating things such as climate.
The gaia hypothesis proposes that our planet functions as a single organism that maintains conditions necessary for its survival. 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. Redfield in the mid1950s, it was english scientist and inventor james. 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. After its publication in james lovelocks book gaia. The gaia hypothesis is mainly based on this 285 interaction 18, 19. Biologyhans papers 2010tilman and downing 1994 nature. Feb 12, 2010 in ancient greek mythology, gaia is the earthmother goddess, the deity that gives life to all others.
The notion that the biosphere exerts important controls on the atmosphere and other parts of the earth system has increasingly gained acceptance among earth and ecosystem scientists. Pdf james lovelock, gaia theory, and the rejection of. The gaia hypothesis a, also known as the gaia theory or the gaia principle, proposes. Gaia is theorized to be a living entity that is greater than the sum of all the living and nonliving aspects of the earth. For the gaia hypothesis to be viable, life must be able to keep the conditions of its host planet habitable, even with perturbations. Gaia hypothesis the gaia hypothesis is an ecological hypothesis proposing that the biosphere and the physical components of the earth atmosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere are closely integrated to form a complex interacting system that maintains the climatic and biogeochemical conditions on earth in a preferred homeostasis. In 1965 english scientist james lovelock had a flash of insight. Gaias extensive documentary collection brings you eyeopening films from around the globe to inform, awaken and inspire you. Its inventor or rather rediscoverer describes the genesis and evolution of the hypothesis. James lovelocks theory that the earth is a living, interrelated organism. Nevertheless, living agents use this tiny fraction of the free energy flux to extraordinary. The gaia theory posits that the organic and inorganic components of planet earth have evolved together as a single living, selfregulating.
Beyond these generally accepted facts, the gaia hypothesis. James lovelock is a british scientist, an atmospheric chemist, and also an inventor with an education in human physiology. Homeric hymn calls gaia mother of all, eldest of all beings, while the theogony of eighthcentury b. The scientific investigation of the gaia hypothesis focuses on observing how the. 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. Though, as pak notes, the gaia hypothesis did not begin to shape terraforming sf until the 1970s, the idea that humans are a part of an interdependent, living system pervades nearly all of the terraforming narrative tradition. During the 1960s, british scientist james lovelock first formulated the gaia hypothesis, the. Une quatrieme conference, qui sest tenue en octobre 2006 a arlington, presidee par lynn margulis, intitulee.
Pdf james lovelock, gaia theory, and the rejection of fact. England and lynn margulis, department of biology, boston university, 2, oummington street, boston, mass. Barton2 1centre for the study of environmental change and sustainability, university of edinburgh, edinburgh, eh9 3jn, uk 2institute of evolutionary biology, university of edinburgh, edinburgh, eh9 3jr, uk gaia theory, which describes the lifeenvironment system of the earth as stable and. Exogaia, a model created to investigate the gaia hypothesis, has been used to test lifes ability to regulate a host planets climate with constant conditions, but not with changing conditions. Youll enjoy learning about science, nature, literature, world religions and more with our curated library of enlightening documentaries.
The idea, concept and term gaia is a battle cry of environmentalists and a provocation for many earth and evolution scientists. Gaia has operated without foresight or planning on the part of organisms, but the evolution of humans and their technology are changing that. Pdf organisms can greatly affect their environments, and the. 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. The gaia hypothesis and earth system science the following is an excerpt from scientists on gaia by stephen schneider and penelope boston mit press. The gaia hypothesis has both scientific and philosophical components. A new look at life on earth it revolutionized the perspective of earth as a living being and. Gaia hypothesis definition of gaia hypothesis by the free. The gaia hypothesis, also known as gaia theory or gaia principle, proposes that all organisms and their inorganic surroundings on earth are closely integrated to form a single and selfregulating complex system, maintaining the conditions for life on the planet. Gaia hypothesis synonyms, gaia hypothesis pronunciation, gaia hypothesis translation, english dictionary definition of gaia hypothesis.
I pointed out that the singular term, the gaia hypothesis, was being applied to many different propositions, ranging from. Download pdf thegaiahypothesis free online new books in. The gaia hypothesis is an ecological hypothesis proposing that the biosphere and the physical components of the earth atmosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere are closely integrated to form a complex interacting system that maintains the climatic and biogeochemical conditions on earth in a preferred homeostasis. The gaia hypothesis, also known as gaia theory or gaia principle, proposes that all organisms and their inorganic surroundings on earth are closely integrated to. James lovelock and the gaia hypothesis new scientist. Gaia hypothesis simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 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. Formulated by james lovelock in the mid1960s and published in a book in 1979, this controversial idea has spawned several interesting ideas and many new areas of research. Particularly because i have been a vocal critic of the gaia hypothesis, it is important to make clear that i substantially agree with many of its central themes.
Gaia gaia earth is the name of a greek goddess also called ge, from whose name words like geology and geography are derived. 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. In the 1970s, the chemist james lovelock proposed the gaia hypothesis, named after the greek earth goddess, gaia. James lovelock and the gaia theory posits that the earth is a selfregulating complex system involving. Gaia international society for the study of religion. James lovelock, gaia theory, and the rejection of factvalue dualism article pdf available december 2011 with 1,321 reads how we measure reads.
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