Animate Earth: Science, Intuition, And Gaia
Electronic Book Review-"Animate Earthis important because Harding walks its swaying rhetorical tightrope with grace and poise to spare, at many moments with moving poetic force, and brings the narrative to his destination, the mutual enhancement of vital scientific ideas and crucial ethical recognitions. The success of his discursive gamble (above and beyond Lovelock's Gaia gambit, which he has absorbed and transformed) is all the more important because, with global ecological disaster closer than anyone had thought up till the end of the last millennium, it seems beside the point to quibble about pedagogical methodology and ontological niceties. Yes, in order to diagram the sort of holism involved in "holistic science," Harding elicits the "mandala" of Jungian wholeness, with its compass points of thinking, sensing, feeling, and intuition. This is not science; it is another serviceable heuristic device, and Harding's discussion does not commit one to the further armatures of Jungian archetypalism. Rather, it prompts one to admit that there may be something to be said for the vision of a culture in better psychological balance."Midwest Book Review-"Author Stephen Harding's doctorate in ecology from Oxford and his interest in holistic science creates a satisfying blend of modern science and new age ideas, so add in a dose of history of how older ideas of an 'animate earth' can be explained through a blend of modern science and spirituality and you have a powerful set if ideas indeed. GAIA theory, scientific insights and a focus on a living earth make for wonderful, revealing reading in his new book.Animate Earthis a very strongly recommended for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in science and metaphysics.""This is a wonderful and beautiful book, a teacher's treasure."--James Lovelock, author ofThe Revenge of Gaia"The conception of the Earth as a living, self-organising system, known today as Gaia theory, is an ancient idea and yet one of the most radical and far-reaching scientific theories of the 20th century. In this remarkable book, Stephan Harding, who has worked closely with James Lovelock, tells the story in a way that is scientifically sophisticated, yet easy to understand and captivating. Harding writes about Gaia with great passion, and he eloquently discusses the theory's philosophical, social and political implications. I recommendAnimate Earthto everyone concerned about the fate of our planet."--Fritjof Capra, author ofThe Hidden Connections,The Web of Life, andThe Tao of Physics"For depth of understanding of Earth functioning and our human role in the process, Stephan Harding'sAnimate Earthis the finest of recent studies. It should be read, meditated on, and adopted as a guide to our human course of action if we would avoid the disaster of an ecological collapse of life on Earth."--Thomas Berry, author ofThe Great Work"This book offers a brilliant new approach at once rigorous, experiential, and intuitive to the most up-to-date research within planetary ecology."--David Abram, author ofThe Spell of the Sensuous"Animate Earthrepresents systems science at its best...gives a whole new dimension to what 'environment-friendly' really means."-- Jonathon Porritt