Eu baixei a algum tempo esse PDF, mas ainda nem li:
http://csmres.jmu.edu/geollab/fichter/geobio350/gaiatest.PDFTHE FEASIBILITY OF A TESTABLE GAIA HYPOTHESISA Project Presented to The Faculty of the
Undergraduate College of Mathematics and Sciences
James Madison University
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Bachelor of Sciences
by
Brent Franklin Bauman
1998
Introduction
[...]This paper explores the feasibility of a testable Gaia hypothesis in a twofold endeavor. First, it
is imperative to delineate the scientific foundations that govern scientific testability. Under the
umbrella of this definition for testability, it then becomes possible to use mechanisms such as
ecological modeling to prove the viability of inherently chaotic and complex systems such as Gaia.
[...]
ConclusionJames Kirchner provides convincing arguments illustrating the untestable nature of Gaia. It is
naïve, however, to brand Gaia as "untestable" without thoroughly exploring the philosophical
foundations of scientific testability. A complex system like Gaia cannot simply be accepted or
rejected based upon simple verification or falsification tests. The testability of Gaia can only be
determined by careful examination of the philosophical foundations governing its testability.
Gaia, as a whole, is untestable in the same way that long-term weather forecasts are untestable.
If real, Gaia, is an infinitely complex, chaotic system and cannot be tested by traditional reductionist
methods. However, like other chaotic systems, its components may be tested to some degree of
certainty by means of holistic, fifth generation models.