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Key Topics
1.) What is the Gaia hypothesis?
2.) Is the Gaia hypothesis a Metaphor for life on Earth or something a bit more tangible?
3.) What is the Daisyworld simulation?
4.) Can one completely dismiss this Theory as “flakey?â€
a.) Is there more to this theory than meets the eye at first glance?
b.) Which O’Sullivan/Bluestone axioms/assumptions come to play in assessing this theory?
c.) Is it helpful to break Gaia down into “Strong†and “Weak†effects?
Answer the following questions in a thorough essay format
The Gaia hypothesis, Daisyworld simulation, and the related aspects will be central to the discussion in this paper. Gaia hypothesis refers to the assumption that the all aspects of the Earth are interrelated with each other and continuously keeps the environment conducive for various life forms. The entire organic and inorganic elements are related to each other. The hypothesis was brought into the picture by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis (Lovelock and Margulis, 1974).
There are various aspects that under consideration in Gaia hypothesis such as the presence and regulation of salt content in the oceans and the oxygen and the other important gases in the atmosphere.As per the hypothesis, the Earth has been considered as living which contains complex system of numerous other life forms. If the Gaia hypothesis is taken on the basis of tangibility, then it can be stated that this hypothesis has failed to stay far from the criticisms. The approval of this hypothesis by numerous scientists around late 60s to early 70s was joined by criticisms from the likes of Ford Doolittle and others. The book written by Lovelook on this hypothesis was pointed out to be having the preconceived notion that the world whole world acts on predetermined goals and there does not exists other alternatives.
The move towards the hypothesis led Lovelock and Watson to the development of a simulation called Daisyworld. The simulation can help one observe the change in temperature of an organism’s body with respect to various environment. Moreover, the whole simulation can show a virtual model of the Earth-Sun System. The goal of the simulationshowcase the way feedback processes work among the organisms and in the environment they live.
There are researchers who flatly dismiss this idea or assumption that there can be something in the world that matches with the Gaia hypothesis. The theory can be flakey to some extent, if the statements of the researchers who does not favor are considered. As per Gould, the hypothesis is merely a metaphor that has been attempted to describe the activities and processes that take place on this planet.However, if the explanation of Lovelock and Abram is considered, then it can be stated that there exists some deeper explanation to this hypothesis and directly discarding it cannot be suggested. As per Lovelock, there are interrelation of numerous mechanisms and explanation of all of them seems to be daunting tasks and beyond the current human capacity (Lovelock, 2007). The concept has also referred the natural selection which is considered by the living organisms. The feedback mechanisms that are embedded in the organisms have the probability of coming from such activity, that is, natural selection.
This is not where the hypothesis ends as it includes various other assumptions and ever growing consideration by the followers of this hypothesis. Some of the arduous followers have shown this Earth in the form of women and it being a divine center of whole Universe.Moreover, Gaia shows that the Earth is not dead and the planet can sustain like living beings and has the ability of maintaining and changing the internal environment just as required and similar to other organisms (Lovelock, 2004).The Gaia can be divided into Strong and Weak effects. There are situations when the effects can be felt stronger and better correlation can be brought into the picture. However, in some cases one can observe the lack in the correlation.
As per Kitchener, Weak Gaia shows that the environment reach appreciable position to allow the sustainability of various life forms. On the other hand, the Strong Gaia asserts that the lives bring more stability to the surrounding or the environment, which eventually supports life forms (Kirchner, 2002).The considerations of these two aspects are basically due to the predictable instances considered by Lovelock and Watson. The weak form has also been referred to as the “influential Gaia” which asserts that there exists weak relationship or dependence among the biotic and abiotic aspects of the environment. This view is quite in contrast to the strong form (Kirchner, 1989).
It can be stated in the end that the Gaia hypothesis has strong impact on the way individuals consider the working of this planet and the dependence of one aspect on to the other. The Gaia hypotheses, using simulation tools like Daisyworld,
Lovelock, J. E., & Margulis, L. (1974). Atmospheric homeostasis by and for the biosphere: the Gaia hypothesis. Tellus, 26(1?2), 2-10.
Kirchner, J. W. (2002). The Gaia hypothesis: fact, theory, and wishful thinking. Climatic Change, 52(4), 391-408.
Kirchner, J. W. (1989). The Gaia hypothesis: Can it be tested?. Reviews of Geophysics, 27(2), 223-235.
Lovelock, J. (2007). The revenge of gaia: earth's climate crisis & the fate of humanity. Basic Books.
Lovelock, J. E. (2004). Reflections on Gaia. Scientists Debate Gaia, 1-5.