Taking the Gaia Hypothesis Seriously: Spirituality, Modernity, and =
Earth-Based Belief Systems
The Gaia Hypothesis, which was formulated in the 1960's by biologist =
James Lovelock, affirms that the Earth is an organism with a life of its =
own. His observations pointed to the difference between the Earth and =
its neighbors Mars and Venus, whose life cycles as hosts of a biosphere =
are finished. Today, Gaian belief systems put life back into the =
secularized res extensa of Cartesian reminiscence, and thus affirm the =
sacredness of what modern humans have become accustomed to consider mere =
usable resources. =20
This panel will focus on the impact of the Gaia Hypothesis on =
alternative communities like those formed by practitioners of New Age =
spirituality, Neo-Pagans, Goddess worshippers, and Wiccans; =
practitioners of the healing arts, vegetarianism, and veganism; naturist =
and polyamorous groups; organic food producers, distributors, and =
consumers; practitioners of micro-credit, fair trade, and ecological =
tourism; and in general, all those whom are reaching for new forms of =
spirituality that include a higher awareness of current health, =
ecological, and environmental issues.=20
Philosophical, theoretical, literary, scientific, and interdisciplinary =
approaches are welcome. =20
Please send one-page abstract and a brief biographical paragraph or vita =
by January 5 to Dr. Serena Anderlini-D'Onofrio, P. O Box 1941, Mayaguez, =
PR 00681.
Email submissions are encouraged: serena1@centennialpr.net
Serena Anderlini-D'Onofrio is an Associate Professor in the Department =
of Humanities at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. The panel =
will be presented at the upcoming Biannual Conference of ASLE =
(Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment), in =
Boston, June 3-7, 2003
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