THE PARADOX OF HOLISM

Abstract

The obsession with the objective in recent scientific research has resulted in the denigration of the subjective. Fortunately, this view is being questioned by the very scientists who were enamored by the objective. Holism could be a revolutionary concept in some circles, but the practice of holistic medicine has been with us for a very long time. Recently, new ideas have been presented in an attempt to understand the philosophical underpinnings of holism. Unfortunately, few have tried to go back to the ancient sources to clarifY the insights that had given rise to holism in the distant past. Further, questions regarding consciousness and Reality should be answered in a logical and aesthetic manner. In this presentation, an attempt is made to focus on the main issues in concepts related to holism. Can and should we measure effects of a holistic therapy? If we postulate mechanisms of a holistic therapy, does the holistic therapy become mechanistic? And, ultimately, can consciousness be measured? While such questions might sound trivial, the philosophical outlook that searches for answers to these questions are important. This paper focusses on some of these issues and tries to provide a framework for continued discussion in clarifYing the paradox that presently permeates holism.