Health and the Need for a New Scientific Paradigm

As we approach a new millennium, at the end of a century of explosive growth in science and technology, it is fitting that leading members of the scientific community are starting to understand that science alone cannot fulfill human kind's needs: indeed, it has become a destructive force. We need a new kind of science that approaches the traditional knowledge of indigenous communities; the search for it has already begun--David Suzuki (The Sacred Balance p. 26).

Two Opposite Paradigms

Indeed, although natural science has given us insights on all aspects of life it is fundamentally flawed in it's approach for it separates elements of a whole and generalizes from those pieces rather than considering holistic systems at work. More and more, new approaches to health, which embrace both traditional Eastern and modern Western knowledge, are emerging and gaining acceptance in the West. The strength of natural science is its effectiveness at describing phenomenon, as it is highly systematic and objective. Its weakness however is that it is devoid of morality and vision. It finds correlations but no meaning. On the other hand, Eastern mysticism is a subjective form of science, which considers the universe as simply uni-verse and seeks to understand its parts in relation to the whole. Its strength is that it provides meaning to everyday phenomenon and fulfills our intuitions. Yet its weakness is that often its claims are difficult to disprove which makes the knowledge questionable. The wisdom of the East, however enlightening it can be, is difficult to concretize or be manifested practically. But perhaps if both systems, despite their contrasting paradigms, merged together, they could best serve humanity. Would it be possible to open a dialogue between such contrasting views of the world? If black and white meet would the resulting color be gray, or would the mix remain heterogeneous at best? As an appreciator of both paradigms, I propose that such a dialogue in the health sector is not only a possibility but a necessity. Dialogue or not, both are equally essential to our survival and prosperity.

Since I am currently studying music therapy, I will focus on the perspective of health and it's relationship with the idea of a new scientific paradigm. In order for dialogue between these two contrasting paradigms to emerge and to be effective, we must first work towards reexamining our values, resolving communication problems, reeducating the public and influencing politics in order for governments to balance their funding according to this new vision. Moreover, this is all assuming that, as an academic community, we have the intention of resolving basic human problems such as selfishness and greed that impede or distort accurate research and corrupt our system of knowledge.

Towards a Wiser Approach to Health Science

As David Suzuki declares, our western paradigm of science, when considering its larger impact on the world, seems to be failing humanity. We can no longer count on it alone to ensure progress and prosperity for the human race for we have no idea of the effects of our technological advancements on the environment and our health. For example, researchers have come up with new pills that only induce cancer or other health problems in the long run. Although western science has brought us many important discoveries that have been useful in the health sector, many of its inventions serve as crutches or temporary cures. Medical science is only one area of health. Its flaw is that it treats illness rather than preventing it. By the time someone is treated, the person is already in a stage of physical sickness. Canada's proposition of the Circle of Health embraces a larger view of health that includes mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. This is a step forward in looking at issues from a more holistic point of view. We are beginning to see that illness does not appear out of nowhere. As medical science seeks to uncover the physical causes and developments of illness, the divers areas of psychology concentrate on the mental and emotional causes of illness. Without a dialogue between psychology and medicine, there is no hope of improving our knowledge and thereby ensuring more appropriate treatment and illness prevention. In my opinion, it is time to begin to explore the less tangible aspects of health; those which relate to mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. What is needed therefore is an agreed-upon system of exploration.

I would state the new paradigm of science as follows: A science that strives to dialogue with and integrate modern Western and traditional Eastern systems of knowledge. This new system I believe would probably not fit into the mould of the natural science paradigm. Perhaps the word “science” itself would not be appropriate to define the new paradigm, for such a paradigm would drastically change the character and values of science. Natural science would become a tool for objective knowledge testing and cease to be the sole authority of knowledge development. More value would have to be given to so-called soft sciences such as social science. For in this new view, these sciences deal with a larger less tangible aspect of human life; but nevertheless a very real and important aspect. In other words, physical evidence is crucial but limited in most areas of research. We must therefore start giving more credit to non-physical evidence. Developing this system will be no easy task, but we can start with communication and dialogue.

The Language Problem

I see the human being as an ecosystem, with all its parts integrated into a whole. Although parts may at times seem distinct from one another in appearance, at a closer look it is difficult to create boundaries between them. The best we could come up with in medical science was to label different parts of the body based on either their function or appearance. Although there is no end to the number of label that delineate separate areas in our bodies from ordinate to subordinate parts, in truth there is only one body. We need to work with labels in order to communicate with others more accurately if we are to solve health problems. However, what labels tend to do is make us forget that we are dealing with a much larger ecosystem. In other words, we forget that labels are just names or tools to help us describe and work effectively. The act of categorizing is an act of segregation. What would the world look like if we had no names for objects? Would we perceive the world the same way? I don't think we would. In fact, names are concepts and concepts are prerequisites for consciousness. Language is more than a language; it is our thoughts and perceptions of the world. It is a collectively agreed upon interpretation of our world. Thus language can change and evolve. If it would be absurd to believe that no French thoughts could be translated into English, then why believe that the language of modern science could not be expressed somewhat adequately in the language of mysticism or vis versa?

To create this new paradigm of science we could begin our dialogue by trying to understand the various important labels of both modern and traditional knowledge, comparing and finding out if there are some parallel meanings between them. I believe that both paradigms can inspire and complement one another in this way. Thus, examining the contrasting languages of both paradigms will be a crucial part of the development of the new larger paradigm.

The Self and Alternative Approaches to Health

David Suzuki mentions the need to find a sacred balance on our planet. By logical inference, balance must also be applied to our own selves (body, mind, spirit). Buddhists have said that in truth there is no real self. Upon introspection on our own sense of self we cannot help but become more confused about its true identity. Where would it be? Inside our bodies? Our brains? Our minds? It is impossible to pin point concretely. How can we possibly impose on it any physical boundaries? In my opinion, simply limiting ourselves with the body as a definition is unsatisfactory and ignorant. Although we feel the presence of a self that is physically separate from the rest of the world and universe, it is an illusion. As Suzuki points out: we are the earth, the air, the sun, and the water. We are made of the elements. Thus it seems rather that the self extends beyond the body as it can only be defined in terms of its relationships with the rest of the universe. These notions are derived mostly from traditional mystic thought and should be taken into account when doing science. We can no longer treat the human body as a separate and complete entity on its own. In other words, we can no longer treat the human body’s separate components without considering the whole person and its relationship with the rest of the universe. It is time to start integrating systematically the traditional views of the world with modern scientific ones. Fortunately, alternative health and medicine fields are on the rise in popularity.

Music Therapy will soon be an important advocate of this new paradigm for one of its central philosophical principles is to treat the human being holistically. Furthermore, it utilizes sound and music to help human beings achieve a sense of health and well-being. This probably makes it safer than any other form of health service. The clinical use of sound and music has hardly been scientifically examined. But so far, it has shown tremendous potential. The challenge for music therapy now is to find effective ways to demonstrate its effectiveness in health. But to do this, it will need the support and faith of other fields in the health sector. Mysticism has much wisdom to offer western science on the properties of sound and it’s subjective effects on the human being. It goes as far as declaring that some vowels are sacred and consequently many mantras have been constructed with these sacred vowels which give power to human beings. This common knowledge of the East seems to be completely farfetched in the West. It is evident then, that communication between West and East is limited. What we need to work towards is an effective way to test such wisdom. Faith, morality and vision are important qualities to have as scientific researchers. One way to build such faith is to be informed about and inspired by Eastern wisdom, for it has much to offer in terms of philosophy of health. Indeed, the health system is incomplete without both modern and traditional views.

I'm under the impression that Mysticism is more ready to accept scientific thought than vis versa. I believe that one reason for this is that perhaps many scientifically minded researchers are not open to unobservable phenomenon. They lack trust in their 6th sense so to speak. Mystic knowledge is all gained from experience and the internal 6th sense. In some people it seems much more developed than in others. This knowledge is internal while the objective knowledge of natural science is said to be external, free of human interpretation (or at least strives to be). It is external for it is supported by precise measurement similar observations and agreements by many experts. Is it better to be open to our 6th sense? Is it a reliable sense? I believe it is a sense of a higher order, which perhaps is formed of many other senses while it extends and unifies the normal 5 senses. It is crucial at this point that all human beings nurture self-awareness and learn to value intuitive thinking. We have come so far cognitively, we must not forget our roots! Moreover, why should we not trust the truths of mysticism like we do with those of science? For mystic knowledge has also been developed by communities of expert yogis who have worked together to find common ground between their views. If it has survived the test of time, it should be considered more seriously in the west.

Education

In order for a new paradigm to emerge, it is necessary to reeducate the public. Fortunately we are now much more aware of holistic treatments and they are on the rise. Only time can bring such important changes as newer generations are taught the world view from a very young age. At the rate of technological and communicative development that exists today, future generations will view the world completely differently from the way our generation sees it. Suzuki says that in the near future water will be the primary natural resource fought for in wars. This sends the message that there is an urgent need for change. Children must be taught to value their environment and each other more than ever. If we don’t destroy the borders between countries and cling to our own selves, we will not survive long. Selfishness and greed are at the root of the world’s imbalance. Although these are natural aspects of being human, it would be absurd to let them destroy us when we know better. Education can really make a difference.

At the moment there is barely any budget for self-awareness and moral education in schools. These are considered secondary to “primary” knowledge such as math, physics and history. Obviously morality and self-awareness are more subtle and sensitive subjects and many teachers are not equipped to teach this. What contributes further to the problem is that fine arts (plastic arts, music and drama), which promote self-awareness, communication and emotional development, are being cut from programs in Canada and US, which is a major mistake. What children are experiencing now is dehumanization in education. Not only is it dehumanizing to withdraw fine arts from schools but it is counterproductive to eliminate the activities have proven to enhance performance in other academic subjects. Self-awareness and focus are key factors that enhance learning on a general level. Children today are learning much about the world, but barely enough about themselves. What good would it give us to know about all the world’s wonders and problems and not be able to manage our own selves? There is an art and science of living that is just as important as knowledge of the world.

Concerning health, my personal view is that education should incorporate more Eastern philosophies and practices. Meditation and yoga for example should be taught from a young age and be part of physical education programs. More emphasis on nutrition should also be incorporated as it has been demonstrated that good nutrition is one of the most important ways to get the energy necessary to carry out all our daily tasks. A good nutrition is also one of the best ways to regulate emotions and mood. The East has different views of nutrition and physical activity in relation to individuals. Deepak Chopra has written extensively on the Eastern views of health. I believe that nutrition is one of the key causes of the high rate of depression in America. The availability of unhealthy food is overwhelming and human beings are programmed by evolution to devour fat when it is available. The problem is that we no longer need to spend the same amounts of energy chasing after our food in jungles and forests. The general public is still for the most part unaware of how dangerous most processed foods at the market are in the long run. Most people consume too much white sugar, caffeine and high cholesterol foods. But it will be impossible to change our habits without proper education. Through a new paradigm of science, perhaps one day we will find more traditional knowledge incorporated into our school systems.

Politics and Corporations

A new paradigm of science will not emerge without the help of politics and major corporations. Corporations are highly involved in politics nowadays as they have become the most powerful sources of economy. The documentary film The Corporation has enlightened us about the negative impacts of corporations on the environment and the people they claim to serve. In this film, the corporation is compared to a human being that has become clinically insane. What makes corporations “insane” is that their only motive is to increase profit without regards for morality or world vision. Again, greed and selfishness are at the root of this problem. It is easy for CEOs to let their workers deal with the dirty part of the work and to free themselves of personal responsibility for the damages they do to the world. Corporations have created a vicious cycle of consumption in the West. What corporations need to do now is take responsibility for their actions and use their excess wealth not to create more wealth but to help restore balance to the planet. Fortunately this is beginning to happen, but corporations need to do more. We cannot depend on a few generous millionaires. It is corporations that have all the power and money. The fate of world is in their hands at the moment. Reeducation and a change of heart must take place at the top of the wealth chain as well as the bottom.

As politics begin to shift gradually to a more longitudinal view of economy and the environment, only then will proper action take place. Politics need to regain control over corporations. In the health sector, this means that pharmaceutical companies have to stop creating unnecessary drugs. Nowadays, new diseases are advertised on television and the cures are included. Pharmaceutical companies want profit. They do not care to know if health problems can be resolved in more natural ways. They make pills for money, and therefore in their eyes that is the only option. Again, the problem is rooted in money. The government wants people to depend on pills rather than natural resources, for natural resources don’t make money for the government. I personally dream of the day doctors will prescribe healthy diet, meditation and proper exercise to their patients rather than pills. But without the emergence of a higher vision and a change of paradigm, funding for research in holistic therapies and alternative medicines will remain limited.

A Larger Paradigm

In light of this, I would like to propose a new paradigm. One that accepts as legitimate both subjective and objective accounts of the world and one that works towards the conversion of Modern and Traditional knowledge into a coherent all-encompassing view of the universe. At one end of the spectrum lies mysticism, while at the other, natural science. In my opinion, it is imperative to find bridges between those fields that seek to integrate knowledge and create a holistic picture of the world, and those that focus on the smaller details in specialized areas. This is the only way we will have a complete view of the universe. We must complete every thread on the grand web of knowledge and then step back and examine it from far, considering world balance and morality. It will be the task of individuals as well as large corporations, along with the support of governments to bring this higher vision to fruition. The vision has already been formulated and will take many more years for it to perfect itself. Change is taking place at this moment. Let us not be blind to the fact that the world is in a state of emergency. The human race is out of balance and is destroying it’s own home along with itself. This can all be changed before it is too late by taking the first steps for healing today.