From Gaia to Selfish Genes: Selected Writings in the Life Sciences [Paperback]

Connie Barlow (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0262521784 | ISBN-13: 978-0262521789 | Publication Date: July 8, 1992

From Gaia to Selfish Genes is a different kind of anthology. Lively excerpts from the popular writings of leading theorists in the life sciences blend in a seamless presentation of the controversies and bold ideas driving contemporary biological research. Selections span scales from the biosphere to the cell and DNA, and disciplines from global ecology to behavior and genetics, and also reveals the links between biology and philosophy. They plunge the reader into debates about heredity and environment, competition and cooperation, randomness and determinism, and the meaning of individuality.From Gaia to Selfish Genes conveys the technical and conceptual roots of current scientific theories beginning with the planetary perspective of James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis and concluding with the reductionist views of Richard Dawkins and E. 0. Wilson. The contrasting worldviews, coupled with excerpts drawn from critics of each theory, encourage readers to examine their own presuppositions.In addition to the scientists' portrayal of the Gaia hypothesis, symbiosis in cell evolution, hierarchy theory, systems theory, game theory, sociobiology, and the selfish gene, the text is rich in autobiographical passages and biographies. By presenting the human side of research, From Gaia to Selfish Genes reveals the social context and interactions, the motivations and range of cognitive styles that comprise the scientific endeavor. Concluding essays written expressly for this book by Lynn Margulis, John Maynard Smith, W. Ford Doolittle, and others underscore the importance of such diversity.Connie Barlow is a science writer currently living in New York City.The scientists include: Robert Axelrod. Richard D. Alexander. Ludwig von Bertalanffy. Leo W. Buss. Francis Crick. Richard Dawkins. W. Ford Doolittle. Douglas Hofstadter. Julian Huxley. Leon J. Kamin. Philip Kitcher. Richard C. Lewontin. James Lovelock. Lynn Margulis. Ashley Montagu. Leslie Orgel. Steven Rose. Carmen Sapienza. John Maynard Smith. Lewis Thomas. Gerald Weinberg. E. 0. Wilson. Robert Wright. The science writers include: Lawrence Joseph. Arthur Koestler. Francesca Lyman. Jeanne McDermott. Richard Monastersky. Dorion Sagan.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A crash course in modern biological thought... Many of the unmissable modem masters are here: James Lovelock on Gaia, Lynn Margulis and Dorion Sagan on symbiosis in the cell, Robert Axelrod and William Hamilton on the evolution of cooperation, E.O. Wilson on sociobiology and Richard Dawkins on selfish genes and memes. It is a heady mix one that covers the spectrum from holism to reductionism, without giving houseroom to any but the best writers.... This is a book with a number of different messages. Yet those messages are often so powerful - and the writing so persuasive - that somehow you long for them all to be true. Bold and shocking biology has that effect on people." Stephen Young, New Scientist

About the Author

Connie Barlow is a science writer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 285 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (July 8, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262521784
• ISBN-13: 978-0262521789
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,505,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Connie Barlow (b. 1952) had 4 science books published between 1991 and 2001. All explore how a mainstream understanding of evolutionary biology can help us feel deeply rooted in this world and supported by a glorious ancestry. In 2001, she shifted her focus to online writings and curricula, as webmaster of the acclaimed TheGreatStory dot org website. In 2009 she (with her husband, Michael Dowd) launched a podcast: "America's Evolutionary Evangelists." She regularly uploads evolutionary videos to her YouTube channel, ghostsofevolution, which echoes the title of her last book, "The Ghosts of Evolution." You can sample Connie's free writings (including contributed chapters to books) at her publications page on her website (google: Connie Barlow publications). Connie is also the founder and webmaster of an ecological activist group: TorreyaGuardians dot org.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From planetary entity to mighty molecules, June 7, 2002

By 

Stephen A. Haines (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: From Gaia to Selfish Genes: Selected Writings in the Life Sciences (Paperback)

Few scientific ideas have gained as much interest and acclaim as James Lovelock's suggestion of Gaia - the entire Earth views as a single organism. Connie Barlow's own reaction is as good an example as any, stating she could return to a childhood feeling of "science as nature which had been utterly quenched by schooling in science as facts." That dichotomy is the theme of this fine collection of essays - is the Gaia thesis viable, or has "science as fact" overthrown it? Barlow has assembled a strong group of authors to present for us to help in forming our own judgments. Even better, the list of works she draws from or points to allow each of us to delve into the subjects with open eyes, and, one hopes, open minds.

The title of the book imparts its structure, working from the grand picture to finer detailed areas. Barlow begins the collection with Lovelock's own definition of the Gaia concept - "the biosphere is a self-regulating entity." He ties his image to historical roots as well as scientific findings. Reminding us that "even scientists, who are notorious for their indecent curiosity, shy away from defining life," Lovelock is able to define Gaia beyond the normal environment we consider the realm of life. "Gaia," he says, "is a total planetary being." As Barlow notes in her afterword to Lovelock's presentation, "some scientists . . . have wholeheartedly begun the search for Gaian mechanisms."

Although not an outspoken supporter, Lewis Thomas, well known for his commentaries on science, is described by Barlow as viewing "the Earth's atmosphere in a Gaian sort of way." A stronger form of support is presented through the career of Lynn Margulis. research in how a cell is constructed and how that structure evolved was forced into a wholly new way of thinking by Margulis. Her detailed cell research led her to propose that many organelles within the cell are the result of ancient symbiotic relationships. Strongly opposed for several years, her theories are now the consensus view of cell evolution. Barlow sees the idea as a foundation stone for the Gaia hypothesis. Previously unrecognized alliances are now a major part of biological research, and Barlow includes several descriptive essays on this
phenomenon.

A Gaian organism requires a discernible structure, according to Barlow. Arthur Koestler is used to introduce how hierarchical structures are perceived in nature. Instead of tedious labeling of sub- after sub, Koestler introduces the term "holon" to define these organizational elements. Any individual of any species may be a "holon," as may be any societal group. The term is implied in following essays on "systems" or "organized complexity." Various commentators are incorporated in Barlow's collection to explain how Gaia works as an entity instead of just a collection of life forms. Game theory is introduced as a major aspect of interaction and cooperation both among and between Gaia's components. For example, Edward O. Wilson's science of sociobiology provides a framework for explaining such concepts as altruism and aggression.

Opposing the Gaia thesis, since much of its popular appeal rests with those seeking greater respect for the environment, is often considered an assault on "motherhood." Barlow uses three outspoken critics of Wilson to introduce alternate views. Richard Lewontin has derided sociobiology and its offshoots such as Lovelock's Gaia as "just-so" stories. Barlow draws on his writings attacking sociobiology as examples of "bad science." By projection, his criticisms must reach beyond societal species to the entire Gaian thesis. The ultimate, if indirect, challenge to Lovelock's idea is that of Richard Dawkins. Barlow uses citations from The Selfish Gene to show how life is based on the survival down many generations of the gene. Life, Dawkins demonstrates, functions on gene replication. Hence, Gaia, which has no genetic root, cannot be a viable "organism" as postulated by Lovelock. Barlow cites Dawkins' analysis of the evolution of consciousness as "the most powerful passages" in the book.

In an interesting innovation, Barlow concludes the book with some "update" essays by some of the contributors. Margulis, Wilson, John Maynard Smith and others, are given the opportunity to amplify on Barlow's selections. The final submissions are nearly as valuable as the ones she originally used. Her own final essay is an excellent summation and provides a suggestion that the views are perhaps not as disparate as a superficial look might indicate. Superficial this book is not. An outstanding collection and starting point for further reading,
this book is highly recommended.