Man and Biosphere

Abstract

The idea that the biosphere, in which intelligent human activity develops, is being converted into the noosphere (a sphere of intelligence) arises from the notion presented by P. Teilhard de Chardin and E. Le Roy. The concept of the noosphere was developed by Vernadsky, who considered it an important part of the science of the biosphere. The work of Yanshin (1981) describes the principal concepts of Vernadsky about the conditions, which when fulfilled, lead to the formation of the noosphere. Yanshin formulates these conditions as follows: (1) “Mankind has become a completely integrated unit. The history of mankind has embraced the entire Earth as a single unit, thus completely replacing the indigenous and historically isolated cultural regions of the past….” (2) “Transformation of the means of communication and exchange of information. The noosphere is an orderly functioning unit, whose parts are harmoniously linked and act together at all levels ….” (3) “The discovery of new sources of energy. The formation of the noosphere requires a radical transformation of the natural environment by man and cannot be performed without immense quantities of energy….” (4) “The growth of the welfare of the working masses. The noosphere is being created by the intelligence and labour of people, therefore the special significance of this premise is beyond any doubt….” (5) “The equality of all people. Embracing the entire planet as a whole, the noosphere by its very essence cannot be the privilege of a single nation or race. It is produced by the skill and mind of all nations …” (6) “The exclusion of wars from the life of human society. In the twentieth century war, threatening the very existence of mankind, has arisen as the greatest obstacle to the development of the noosphere. It follows that without the elimination of this obstacle the attainment of the noosphere is practically impossible. On the contrary, with the elimination of war mankind will have made a great step towards the noosphere.”