Holonomy

The law of the whole bridges physics and public policy

Well-known physicist David Bohm has concluded from his research that it is no accident that our fragmentary form of thought is leading to such a widespread range of crises—social, political, economic, ecological, psychological, etc.—in the individual and in society as a whole. "Such a mode of thought implies unending development of chaotic and meaningless conflict, in which the energies of all tend to be lost by movements that are antagonistic or else at cross-purposes….Such action will be at best ineffective and at worst really destructive." 

He uses the term "holonomy," the law of the whole, to describe the alternative to fragmentation, and encourages us to consider analogies between principles of physics and principles of public policy. (Wholeness and the Implicate Order, Padstow, Great Britain: T.J. Press [Padstow] Ltd., 1980).

Bohm explains that only when we look at the whole situation can we discover the most relevant action to bring the turbulence and discord within the system to an end. So long as we continue within fragmentation, there is no sufficiently broad context to allow the necessary analysis of universal order and our place in it.

The greatness of our nation exists in the greatness

each American citizen brings to it. The whole is the

sum of the parts, magnified.

Bohm urges us to realize the importance, indeed the urgency, of clearing up the  deep and pervasive confusion that permeates the whole of our culture. He explains that our fragmented way of thinking, looking and acting affects every aspect of our lives. The roots of fragmentation are so deep and pervasive, we continuously try to divide what is, in fact, one and indivisible.

He contends that when we grasp the truth of the one-ness of the thinking process and the content of thought that is the product of this process, "then such insight will enable us to observe, to look to learn about the whole movement of thought and thus to discover an action relevant to this whole….”  This insight will end the 'turbulence' of movement" that is the essence of fragmentation in every phase of our lives. 

The requirement that we look beyond what only serves our own interest to what serves the whole is consistent not only with quantum physics, but also with the Sermon on the Mount's command that we love our enemies—do for them what we would want done for us. This principle is found not just in Christianity, but throughout world religions. It is not a new idea, but the proposal that we take it seriously and apply it to public policy, as Bohm suggests, is revolutionary. It is here that science and scripture meet.

Meta United invites you to think about public policy from the view of holonomy, the law of the whole. The two types of justice demonstrate how fragmentation versus a holonomous, or whole approach, affect public policy.