Two Fundamental Perspectives

Submitted by James Olson on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 10:45
I’ve started this blog to share some of what I have learned during the process of writing The Whole Brain Path to Peace: The Role of Left- and Right-Brain Dominance in the Polarization and Reunification of America.  (Origin Press, 2011) Many years ago, it became clear to me that holistic right brain views were being widely ignored and suppressed, creating an imbalance, and to the great detriment of our culture.  Seeing this, I set out to promote the holistic perspective. I wanted to explain to left-brain dominants the significant benefits of augmenting their brain power by cultivating the contribution of their right brain rather than fearing and fighting it—the common response. Whether our focus be physical, mental, or spiritual, power is achieved through harmony, through coordination. It’s the power of teamwork.  When it’s one versus a team, the team usually wins. Naturally, teamwork also enhances brainpower.

The left brain’s dualistic perspective and the right brain’s holistic perspective provide us with two radically different mental positions from which to view the world. These integrate to create a third, a combined perspective. The differences among these perspectives introduce a number of possibilities, including misunderstanding, along with the mistrust, fear, and confusion that accompany misunderstanding.

In order to work together effectively and achieve their highest potential, the two brain hemispheres need to respect one another and cooperate, yet it is the nature of the dualistic, self-protecting left brain to dominate, and act alone. From a dualistic perspective, the holistic is the competition, and is therefore often seen as the enemy.

This then creates an internal polarization, both individually and culturally. For examples of how this affects our decision-making and resulting actions, we need only look to the political arena. I intend that future blogs will continue to explore the two fundamental brain perspectives, the processes associated with each (analysis and synthesis), and their individual and cultural impact on us—what this means to us in practical terms. Based on what we see in politics, it appears that cultural polarization is both destructive and growing in America. Will you join me in trying to reverse it?

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