This isn't so much a theory, but a summary (with a little speculation) of what we have seen so far concerning DHARMA's purpose on the Island, nor is it an attempt to explain all of the mysteries of Lost. I apologise if this has already been posted but I don't spend alot of time reading through older theories or browsing other lost sites.
We know The Island is an ancient place with unusal properties and features governed by 'rules', these rules are quite different from the rules of the outside world, It appears that the island has existed and been functioning since at least Egyptian times , perhaps even before.
We can assume DHARMA knew alot about the Island's rules and properties, and built some of their stations to study, experement and manipulate these particular rules and properties. We know that DHARMA was a collection of the greatest minds and scientists, perhaps they wanted to use the Island for a different purpose than it was originally intended.
Two clear examples so far
1) An ancient door with heiroglyphs which roughly translate "to summon protection", we know Ben used what ever ancient island feature that is behind this door to summon the smoke monster. We also know that although Ben summoned it, he and the people who with him were also vulnerable to it's attack which is why they had "to get as far away from it as possible"
DHARMA Built a community (The Barracks) over this ancient feature, and surrounded it with a sonic fence which the smoke monster is unable to penetrate. This could mean they were able to live safely and could summon the monster without the fear of it attacking them.
2) A Frozen Wheel in a chamber full of heiroglyphs which can apparently move the whole Island to an unpredictable place in both space and time, but whoever turns this wheel is somehow ejected from the island to a different place in space and time (Tunisia?).
Dharma Built the Orchid station adjacent to the wheel chamber and its pocket of exotic matter to experiment in controlled space/time travel, and trained polar bears to turn the wheel so they could move the Island without being ejected themselves.
Other possible examples which need more clarification
1) Women being unable to survive pregnancy on the island.
DHARMA built the Staff Station, a medical facility which we have seen has ultrasound equipment and a infant nursery.
2) A massive electromagnetic anomily, purpose of which is still unknown.
The Swan station was experimenting with this anomily, but by drilling into it caused an Incident or leak, we can assume this was a failed experiment to manipulate this particular island feature.
3) The purge of the DHARMA initiative, Ben told John Locke that "one side had to go".
The purpose of The Tempest was to emit a deadly gas Island wide. DHARMA built this station with the intention of purging the Hostiles/inhabitants, however as we know it was actually used against them.
4) The Way to reach or leave the island is on an exact bearing which aparently changes (305/325)
DHARMA built the Looking Glass which emmited a sonar ping to guide their vessels safely to and from the Island on the correct bearing.
5) We know very little about Jacob, but we do know that The pre-DHARMA island inhabitants (others/hostiles) take their orders from him,
Jacob lives in a cabin built by an Initiative member.
6) There is a Temple which is a 'place of sanctuary'. Temples are usually ancient structures.
From Ben's map we can see a DHARMA symbol nearby or at this location, possibly they were experimenting on or manipulating this particular Island feature?
In the latest Lost Alternate Reality Game DHARMA WANTS YOU, it appears that Dharma recruits are being encouraged to cheat or find ways to bend the rules to achieve top scores, this ties in with what may have been the original purpose of the DHARMA initiative.
There are still alot of unanswered questions about both the Island and the DHARMA initiative, but we still have two more seasons to go. I hope this will give you something to think about and help pass the time during this long hiatius.
Theory by JLS
We know The Island is an ancient place with unusal properties and features governed by 'rules', these rules are quite different from the rules of the outside world, It appears that the island has existed and been functioning since at least Egyptian times , perhaps even before.
We can assume DHARMA knew alot about the Island's rules and properties, and built some of their stations to study, experement and manipulate these particular rules and properties. We know that DHARMA was a collection of the greatest minds and scientists, perhaps they wanted to use the Island for a different purpose than it was originally intended.
Two clear examples so far
1) An ancient door with heiroglyphs which roughly translate "to summon protection", we know Ben used what ever ancient island feature that is behind this door to summon the smoke monster. We also know that although Ben summoned it, he and the people who with him were also vulnerable to it's attack which is why they had "to get as far away from it as possible"
DHARMA Built a community (The Barracks) over this ancient feature, and surrounded it with a sonic fence which the smoke monster is unable to penetrate. This could mean they were able to live safely and could summon the monster without the fear of it attacking them.
2) A Frozen Wheel in a chamber full of heiroglyphs which can apparently move the whole Island to an unpredictable place in both space and time, but whoever turns this wheel is somehow ejected from the island to a different place in space and time (Tunisia?).
Dharma Built the Orchid station adjacent to the wheel chamber and its pocket of exotic matter to experiment in controlled space/time travel, and trained polar bears to turn the wheel so they could move the Island without being ejected themselves.
Other possible examples which need more clarification
1) Women being unable to survive pregnancy on the island.
DHARMA built the Staff Station, a medical facility which we have seen has ultrasound equipment and a infant nursery.
2) A massive electromagnetic anomily, purpose of which is still unknown.
The Swan station was experimenting with this anomily, but by drilling into it caused an Incident or leak, we can assume this was a failed experiment to manipulate this particular island feature.
3) The purge of the DHARMA initiative, Ben told John Locke that "one side had to go".
The purpose of The Tempest was to emit a deadly gas Island wide. DHARMA built this station with the intention of purging the Hostiles/inhabitants, however as we know it was actually used against them.
4) The Way to reach or leave the island is on an exact bearing which aparently changes (305/325)
DHARMA built the Looking Glass which emmited a sonar ping to guide their vessels safely to and from the Island on the correct bearing.
5) We know very little about Jacob, but we do know that The pre-DHARMA island inhabitants (others/hostiles) take their orders from him,
Jacob lives in a cabin built by an Initiative member.
6) There is a Temple which is a 'place of sanctuary'. Temples are usually ancient structures.
From Ben's map we can see a DHARMA symbol nearby or at this location, possibly they were experimenting on or manipulating this particular Island feature?
In the latest Lost Alternate Reality Game DHARMA WANTS YOU, it appears that Dharma recruits are being encouraged to cheat or find ways to bend the rules to achieve top scores, this ties in with what may have been the original purpose of the DHARMA initiative.
There are still alot of unanswered questions about both the Island and the DHARMA initiative, but we still have two more seasons to go. I hope this will give you something to think about and help pass the time during this long hiatius.
Theory by JLS
