Gaia by Lynn Margulis and James Lovelock reframes Earth not as a backdrop to life but as a self-regulating system in which life and environment are inseparable — a proposition with consequences for ecology, philosophy, and how we understand planetary futures.
About This Book
Developed in the 1970s by microbiologist Lynn Margulis and atmospheric chemist James Lovelock, the Gaia theory holds that Earth functions as a self-regulating complex system: life does not merely inhabit its environment but continuously shapes and sustains conditions conducive to its own continuation. This edition — Gaia and Philosophy — fuses science, mathematics, ecology, and mythology to challenge Western anthropocentrism and propose a genuinely symbiotic model of the planet. With a new introduction by Dorion Sagan, it traces the deep roots of Gaia thinking through natural philosophy and ancient cosmology, and draws out its implications for how we understand life's past and design its future. Essential reading for anyone engaged with ecological thinking, environmental philosophy, or the ethics of the built environment.
Key Features
- 64 pages of philosophical and scientific argument fusing ecology, mathematics, and mythology
- New introduction by Dorion Sagan
- Published by Ignota, ISBN 9781838003968
What You'll Discover
- How the Gaia theory redefines Earth as a self-regulating system rather than a passive substrate for life
- The philosophical lineage connecting Gaia to ancient magico-religious traditions — the "as above, so below" worldview — and its resonance with contemporary ecological science
- A direct challenge to Western anthropocentrism, proposing symbiosis rather than hierarchy as the organising principle of planetary life
- Why the Gaia paradigm carries implications not only for understanding evolutionary history but for shaping decisions about the planet's future
About the Author
Lynn Margulis was a microbiologist whose work fundamentally altered scientific understanding of cellular evolution and symbiosis. Together with atmospheric chemist James Lovelock, she developed the Gaia theory in the 1970s, a framework that has since influenced disciplines ranging from earth science and ecology to philosophy and design.
Specifications
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 64
- Dimensions: 110 x 160 mm
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9781838003968
- Publisher: Ignota
- Publication Date: [Details available upon request]
Perfect For: Architects, designers, and academics engaged with ecological thinking, environmental philosophy, and the ethics of designing within planetary systems.