James Lovelock began to formulate his ideas about Gaia in the 1960s, and has written about them, often alone, and often in collaboration with others, on many occasions since. The term itself was suggested to Lovelock by the novelist William Golding, and has undoubtedly helped to encourage an interest in subtle and complex scientific theses among a wider public. So, what do those who believe in Gaia believe? And is what they believe true?

Some people misunderstand views that are themselves cogently stated. We cannot straightforwardly hold proponents of a certain view responsible for confusions elsewhere, but there are times when we can do this, and it is not unreasonable to think that Lovelock is himself in part responsible for the wilder interpretations of his Gaia view, even if he does not hold, and never has held to such interpretations himself.

First, there is the word. Gaia is the Greek name for the earth goddess. Use this name, and it is unsurprising if you are taken to be suggesting that the earth is importantly like a person, with, like a person, knowledge, beliefs, purposes, and a sense of the future and the past. There is a noticeable irony, of course, in this choice of name, and what it suggests. For Gaians and deep ecologists, although they should not be identified, have much in common.