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                      %SCIENCE OF MADNESS POSSIBLE? 861011

     Scientists are dedicated to:  (1)  objectivity,   (2)
reductionistic  analysis,   (3)  discovery of cause/effect
relationships,   (4)  the study of realities  which  exist
independently    from    scientists,    (5)     increasing
predictability, (6) increasing the possibility of control.

     In their efforts to fulfill their dedication  to  the
above,   scientists  have typically engaged  in  behaviors
which entail much: (1) manipulation, (2) measurement,  (3)
computation,  (4) abstraction, (5) depersonalization,  (6)
specialization, (7) fragmentation,and (8) isolation.

     In  the  light of the above,   what  are  the  likely
consequences  of  scientists focusing their attention upon
what  they perceive to be the peculiar  aspects  of  other
human  beings'   behaviors,   within the broad context  of
communities   in  turmoil,    because   of   revolutionary
developments  which have been triggered by the discoveries
and  thought patterns injected into human  communities  by
scientists themselves?  Many of the peculiar behaviors may
in fact be occasioned by scientists'  discoveries and  the
social revolutions initiated  by  their  ways of thinking,
feeling,  and behaving.   To what extent  can  scientists'
study    their   intended   subject   objectively?     Can
reductionistic  analysis lead to understanding within  the
context of the study?   Can causes and effects be isolated
from each other in meaningful ways?    Do  the subjects of
analysis  exist  apart  from  the  subjects engaged in the
analysis?    Is  it reasonable to assume that the kind  of
understanding which is likely to follow from this behavior
will  lead to highly predictable behavior on the  part  of
the subjects of the study?   Who will gain greater control
over the end of the process?

     In  dealing with problematic human behaviors which of
the   following  characteristic   behavior   patterns   of
scientists  are helpfully appropriate:  (1)  manipulation,
(2)  measurement,  (3) computation, (4)  abstraction,  (5)
depersonalization,  (6) specialization, (7) fragmentation,
(8) isolation.

     Which   kinds   of   behavior   which   are    rarely
characteristic  of scientists are often helpful in dealing
with problematic human behavior patterns?   Is it possible
that   scientists'    characteristic   paradigms  may   be
inappropriate  for  dealing with  the  problems  of  "mad"
people in many contexts?

                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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