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Section 1
Introduction, Foreword
and Summary to this Publication
Introduction
The Gaia Hypothesis was first put forward in the very late 1960's
and early 1970's by Dr James Lovelock - a British atmospheric
scientist, in collaboration with Dr Lynn Margulisis - an
American
microbiologist. Welcome to this resource document.
When it is
completed, its purpose is three-fold:
Chapters 2 and 3
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Firstly this
document represents a rather extensive collation of existing
resource documentation surrounding the more technical (Natural
Science) issues relating to the The Gaia Hypothesis. It attempts
to cover the basic scientific specification of the Gaia
hypothesis from a multitude of views. Firstly we examine a
representative selection of writings, quotations and other
references, relating to the two principal researchers and
proponents of the hypothesis, Dr James Lovelock and Dr. Lynn Margulis.
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Secondly, in
presenting an account of what the Gaia Hypothesis is all about,
we look to provide some measure of documentation concerning the
history of the development of such a theory of the Natural
Sciences, and in this area we cover the work and selected
writings of Gregory Bateson and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.
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Thirdly, we
examine a broad range of constructive contribution and support
to, and contemporary application of, this "Gaian world view" by
various writers, scientists, researchers , critics and
educationalists in the last few decades since the concept was
introduced. In this section we have attempted to bring together
therefore a wide range of existing reference information, web
articles, interpretations and other commentary.
Now - quite clearly -
the Gaia Hypothesis is often strongly linked to and supported by -
many "New Age" philosophies and publications and, while I have no
real problems with a certain amount of NewAge Literature, my
instincts tell me loud and clear that there exists just as much hype
in this area as there exists in the strictly commercial, industrial
and technological arena, and that this - to my sensibility - is to
be avoided.
On the other hand, my
instincts also tell me loud and clear that the mainstream
contemporary doctrines of the physical sciences (and in particular
Physics) - which experimentally research the fundamental Laws of
Nature in a pre-established mechanistic and causal framework - are
similarly guilty concerning the formation of opinion in research
areas which are not conducive to their education or experience.
The totality of open enquiry concerning the world, the cosmos, and
all thing which are therein was once - a few hundred years ago -
known as the Natural Sciences. From the body of knowledge inherent
in this common descendant, the traditional physical sciences emerged
and then diversified. With the work of Newton, Maxwell and
Einstein
this became known generally as Physics (which in the ancient Greek "physis"
meant nature).
In the application of
the research undertaken in the diversifying fields of the physical
sciences, and coupled with the parallel and integrated discipline of
mathematics, came the steam engines, the harnessing of electric
power, the internal combustion engine, the realization of flight,
the realization of machines of world war, the realization of the
communication potentials of radio and television and in the closing
years of the second millennia, as the age of information systems
technology dawns upon the terrestrial planet, space flight, the data
processing engine and the realization of the communication potential
of the internet.
In parallel streams of research, other disciplines of enquiry have
also evolved from this common descendant body of knowledge known as
the Natural Sciences. The earlier and traditional strands of this
diversification included those of Chemistry, Biology, Geology,
Astronomy and Meteorology. Likewise, in the last few centuries these
too have been transformed by the application of research and
development and likewise have fragmented into a huge diversity of
specialized fields.
Up until the last half of this century, after the passage of two
world wars, those strands of "Natural Science" which had not yet
developed the peer reviewed status afforded by the traditional
physical sciences, or which, by their nature were more holistic in
approach rather than specific in application, were commonly grouped
under the general discipline of the Social Sciences or Geography.
Ecology, the scientific study of living things in relation to each
other and to their environment, was once such science which has
recently emerged from this group.
There are probably many reasons why the disciplines of Environmental
and Ecological Science did not emerge until relatively recently.
However the acknowledgement of the importance of ecological systems
and processes on a global basis was boosted by mankind's first
actual visual photographs of the planet Earth during the early space
missions of the 1960's.
It may be contended that the ancient peoples of all the lands
beneath the sky have been just as cognizant of these basic
principles which are expressed the following account of the Gaia
Hypothesis. Translation of these ancient and natural terms to the
parameters of the twentieth century is thus required so that the
evolving doctrines of the western civilization are cognizant of the
nature which surrounds them.
Perhaps the best manner in which to express this is the following
quote from Fritjof Capra, in his work entitled "The Turning Point",
in which he references the earlier work of Bateson:
"The recognition of
the non-linear nature of all systems dynamics is the very
essence of ecological awareness, the essence of "systemic
wisdom", as Bateson called it. This kind of wisdom is
characteristic of traditional non literature cultures but has
been sadly neglected in our over rational and mechanized
society. Systemic wisdom is based on a profound respect for the
wisdom of nature, which is totally consistent with the insights
of modern ecology.
In conclusion, I
naturally dedicate this compilation and resource to the global
internet community and thus - through this channel - to the
planetary future of the third millennia wherein - just as there have
been in the ages long passed - there will be always the scattered
students of life itself - who seek to perceive the nature of nature.
Peace.
PRF Brown
BCSLS {Freshwater}
Mountain Man
Graphics, Australia
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