PHYSICS AND PHILOSOPHY

“The health of the body cannot be separated from the health of the soul”. Rabbi Harold Kushner

Philosophy attempts to define what we believe, and why. Physics is the study of matter and energy, and their interactions. Both philosophy and physics attempt to penetrate the Mysteries of Life by addressing some of the big questions we humans have. How did we get here? Why are we here? Where are we going? They have different methods, but both fields deal with aspects of energy, matter, and belief.

Philosophers try to be objective when studying their subject matter, which includes such things as belief, while Physicists attempt to discard belief in order to be objective about their subject matter; nevertheless they both operate from specific perceptions, attitudes, values, and yes, beliefs. It appears to be human to hold these, and unlikely that any person could function without them. Issues arise between philosophy and physics when practitioners present their objectivity as though it was without these attributes.

This is the basic conflict between science and spirit, and has been observed throughout the millennium as body versus soul, higher versus lower, light versus darkness, and good versus evil. As a practical matter, both Science and Religion are concerned with Truth, with Fact, and with whether the phenomenon observed, be it the movement of stars or the outcome of prayer, can be duplicated reliably and consistently.

An exciting development the past few years has been the creation of a “bridge” between these two areas, into such realms as Quantum Physics, Mind/Body Medicine and Energy Healing Systems. These share investigations about cosmology and consciousness, and the new insights, even the new questions, are quite amazing at times.

All major religions share similar philosophies, as exemplified by the “Golden Rule” of Christianity: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Most faith systems have variations on that theme. They also share similar values, naming certain human characteristics as virtues: wisdom & knowledge, courage, love & humanity, justice, temperance, spirituality & transcendence. (1) AUTHENTIC HAPPINESS: USING THE NEW POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY TO REALIZE YOUR POTENTIAL FOR LASTING FULFILLMENT by Martin Seligman, 2002, Free Press Edition 2004, chapter 8, Renewing Strength & Virtue. In addition, many religions share common cosmologies, or stories of origins of earth & humanity, and other myths & legends as well. (2) THE POWER OF MYTH, 1988, Anchor Books and THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES, 3rd edition 2008, New World Library, both by Joseph Campbell.

If a universal model of human behavior could be planned and executed according to plan, with the tenets of the various world religions as a foundation for life, we might see more compassion, responsibility for self and others, justice, a stronger sense of family and community, and peace. On the other hand, we are living according to some of the other tenets of the various world religions, about what we are and our habitual short-comings, such as judgment, selfishness, grasping, non-awareness, and anger. All religions suggest that surrender to a Higher Power of some sort--- and not all have a God or deity, some have the universe, or some other definition of Higher Power--- will make the positives of life more possible for the one who surrenders. Also suggested is that many (and not just a select few) need to surrender to multiply the positives in self and society.

By interacting with others in a one-dimensional manner, we are diminishing them, and ourselves, to a “thing” and not relating to them as a “person”, and fellow human being. An argument can be made for an ethic that does not use other people (or books, or trees, or God), and does not consider them objects of one's own personal experience, but as beings with whom one enters into dialogue, an “I” and a “you”. As such, these beings are multi-dimensional, and so are we. (3) I AND THOU by Martin Buber, Touchstone Books, 1970)

Ultimately, both physics and philosophy are areas of human endeavor which attempt to deal with some of the hardest questions we have, such as “What is Truth?” Personal inner struggles and world wars have been fought over this question, and since we’re still asking it, apparently have not come to any real conclusions as yet. Science and Religion have made repeated attempts to deal with Fact, whether phenomena can be duplicated, and how phenomena can be observed.

We can also ask, within this context, “What are we struggling against?” Why do we perceive these areas of human endeavor to be exclusive of one another? They ask the same questions, use the same criteria for assessment. Methods may be different---- physicists may use instruments such as telescopes or microscopes while philosophers may (or may not) use prayer and human thought--- but when researchers of any system are “deep into it” they are in a form of meditation, and operating from some system of faith, knowingly or unknowingly.

Increasingly both scientists and spiritual practitioners are coming to understand that somehow and in some way “Everything is Everything” and that “Everything is Interconnected”.

We begin to see in that developing a philosophy of acceptance and tolerance in relationships, we are fulfilling a number of basic human needs. These needs are known recently and scientifically, but have been known for millennia in religions. Commonalities in world religions, beyond the “Golden Rule” address the human hunger for CONNECTION--- to Self, to Others, to a Higher Power. (4) TOWARD A PSYCHOLOGY ON BEING by Abraham Maslow, 1968, Wiley & Sons, “Hierarchy of Needs” discussed throughout book.

The “Square of Common Good”, having as it does the values of “Compassion”, “Integrity”, “Justice”, and “Respect” is a helpful paradigm in examining the practicalities of how to live out the implications of Maslow’s theories, with ourselves and with one another. This paradigm brings to the forefront that we have a Choice---- we can either live from fear or we can live from love. The Judeo-Christian Scripture says “Perfect love casts out fear…” (5)Bible I John 4:18, and that “Faith, hope, love abide, these three….. but the greatest is Love” (6) Bible I Corinthians 13:13. And what is Love? Basically Love is a choice, an act of the will, wanting for the Other their best and highest good, even should that cost the one who is choosing and willing their comfort or their very life.

What personal challenges does this study present for me? Especially as I pursue my studies in Health & Wellness, how does what I am learning or thinking about challenge me to grow and to change in how I live my life?

As the years go by, some of the values I held as a young person, which were very idealistic, and which over the years were battered by the reality of life, have stood the test of time, and become stronger and more important to me. Whereas in my younger days, busy with trying to make a living and raise a family, dealing with bitter disappointments and various painful experiences, I sometimes compromised on those values, I am less inclined to now, and with less judgment towards myself and others for lapses than formerly.

Of course I intend to “live greener”--- reduce, reuse, recycle--- and to learn how to be healthy in body, mind, and spirit and teach others to do the same. As I see my life unfolding I see that I will teach what I most need to learn, one person at a time, one soul at a time. I do not intend to rest in “warm fuzzies” however, but to be awake and in the light of Truth, both scientific and spiritual.

I hope that, as in the poem by Robert Frost, “Two Tramps in Mudtime” I will be able to fulfill what the poet stated as his own conclusion to a life dilemma:

But yield who will to their separation,
My object in living is to unite
My avocation and my vocation
As my two eyes make one in sight.
Only where love and need are one,
And the work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
For heaven and the future´s sakes.

written by Beverly Flanagan March 2009