Fable of the 6 Blind Men and the Elephant

Why is there such diversity of ideas about how the mind works? Why is there so much complication? Perhaps it is because each of us only sees part of the picture - a few pieces of the puzzle. Many of us may quickly remember the old East Indian fable about the Blind Men and the Elephant. Six blind men, having never been near an elephant, suddenly had an opportunity to touch one. After touching the flat, flappy ear of the animal, one blind man exclaimed that the elephant was like a fan. The pachyderm's tail and leg induced two others to conclude that the elephant was like a rope and a tree trunk. Other descriptions included: "... like a wall," "... like a snake," "... like spears." Unfortunately, with each blind man espousing a different story, a heated argument ensued. Soon, the elephant's owner was awakened by the ruckus and came out to quiet the group. After each blind man explained his case, the owner responded:

"The elephant is a very large animal. Its side is like a wall. Its trunk is like a snake. Its tusks are like spears. Its legs are like trees. Its ears are like fans. And its tail is like a rope. So you are all right. But you are all wrong, too. For each of you touched only one part of the animal. To know what an elephant is really like, you must put all those parts together." (Backstein, 1992)

To me, the blind men represent all of the sages, philosophers, and scientists of both the past and present who have pondered the essence of life, thoughts, and emotions. Life is an "elephant" we sense and feel, but do not truly see. Though the great thinkers of today and yesterday have touched parts of this strange and wonderous "animal," no one with perfect vision has come forth to omnisciently examine those views and reconcile the group as did the elephant's owner in the fable. (And I certainly do not claim to be such a seer.) Yet, in the spirit of the fable, it would seem to me that perhaps a better approach to undestanding life would be to stop arguing and try to piece together the ideas of others into a consistent, integrated whole - a unified theory of life, mind, and emotions. Certainly, the issues may be complex, but if the "pieces" are right, then they should "fit" together. Let us search for and find where the "ears connect to the head," where the "legs connect to the body," etc. Let's key on the common denominators and use them to connect one idea to another, one theory to another. Eventually, the whole "elephant" will come into view for all of us.

If we are to better understand life and live it to the fullest, then we must seek an integrated theory of the brain, body, thoughts, emotions, and life. I feel it. I believe it. Deep research and specialization are not bringing us closer to an answer. Vertical investigation will never answer what is clearly a lateral question; a unified theory cannot be found within a single field. We need horizontal investigation tying seemingly disparate fields together into a comprehensive understanding of life. This website is just an initial attempt at doing so - a "strawman" for others to rework, "flesh out," and improve upon in the future.

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