Dr. James Lovelock, a prominent scientist and inventor of the electron capture detector, developed the controversial Gaia Hypothesis nearly 50 years ago. The Gaia Hypothesis asserts that the Earth’s organic and inorganic components have evolved as a self-regulating system that dynamically maintains conditions that are suitable for its life. The system is a symbiotic whole that balances environmental processes to keep itself humming along, with no particular regard for humans. We are just part of the larger picture, although our meddling has the potential to disrupt Gaia’s equilibrium.
Your assignment is to view the video on the Gaia Hypothesis (above) and then
Reconstruct any one type of inductive pattern of reasoning (enumerative induction, statistical syllogism, causal argument, and/or analogy) that you detect in the video, using standard reconstruction format (premise 1, premise 2, premise n, conclusion). Please remember to identify what type of inductive pattern of reasoning you are reconstructing.
Evaluate the central argument of the Gaia Hypothesis in terms of the criteria our text offers for inductive arguments. Begin by defining the criteria for inductive reliability and strength that our text presents. Is the Gaia Hypothesis inductively reliable? Why or why not? Is it inductively strong? Why or why not?
