Esplorare l'ipotesi Gaia: Origini, valore scientifico e il suo ruolo nel Dibattito ambientale

This dissertation critically examines the Gaia Hypothesis, formulated by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis, and later developed by Lovelock alone. It discusses the challenges the hypothesis faced in gaining acceptance within the scientific community. The core concept of the theory, which remained steadfast, asserts the existence of a self-regulating living system called Gaia, where the environment and life are inseparable and evolve as a whole. The primary goal of this work is to explore and understand the paradox identified by Michael Ruse regarding the Gaia Hypothesis. This paradox revolves around the divergent reception of the hypothesis by scientists and environmentalists. The theoretical concepts that led the scientific community to disdain Lovelock's hypothesis garnered immense appreciation from environmentalists. To delve deeper into this paradox, the dissertation analyzes the scientific assumptions, fundamental principles, and social factors that influenced the reception of the Gaia Hypothesis from the perspectives of scientists and environmentalists. The exploration of the Gaia Hypothesis is conducted through three chapters. The first chapter traces the historical evolution of the idea, examining Lovelock's works. The second chapter explores contrasting viewpoints, from staunch supporters like David Abram and Bruno Latour to vehement critics like James Kirchner. Ruse's description of the paradox is presented, highlighting criticisms based on departure from established scientific methodologies and the absence of empirical evidence. The third chapter explores the Gaia Hypothesis as an environmental theory, positioning it within the environmentalist debate. It examines its incorporation into various environmental ideologies, including deep ecology, ecofeminism, and ecomodernism, highlighting the diverse visions it supports.