Complementarity of qualitative distinctions in resonance

Reimagining Principles Enabling an Existential Ecostery (Part #10)

As highlighted above by the prevailing level of "disease" between distinct perspectives and worldviews, it is curious the inability to draw on understandings of complementarity and resonance articulated by a variety of disciplines, as separately discussed (Memetic and Information Diseases in a Knowledge Society: speculations towards the development of cures and preventive measures, 2008).

The most evident example is provided by the relation between distinct notes in any musical scale. Irrespective of the preferred tuning system, there is recognition of appropriate relationships between those notes -- through which harmony can be elicited. The pentatonic scale offers a striking example (Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale, World Science Festival, 23 July 2009). This suggests a case for recognizing fruitful relationships between cognitive distinctions -- despite any apparent dissimilarity or degree of difference (as between "octaves"). Visual manifestations of such relationships are evident in Chladni patterns.

The term resonance is also significant to understanding of the relationship between the distinct atoms in the organic molecule most fundamental to life, namely the 6-fold benzene molecule. Rather then understanding the bonds between those molecules as static -- and consequently incompatible with constraints on molecular structure -- the bonds are understood to be in resonance within a pattern of distinct configurations. It is this dynamic resonance which is fundamental to the viability of the resulting structure, recognized as a "resonance hybrid". Given that life itself is then effectively sustained through a "resonance hybrid", this suggests the possibility of some form of cognitive resonance between perspectives otherwise understood to be incompatible.

As "morphic resonance", extensive exploration of resonance has been made by Rupert Sheldrake (A New Science of Life: the hypothesis of morphic resonance, 1981). The hypothesis continues to be associated with considerable controversy, exemplified by an early review by the senior editor of Nature, John Maddox (A book for burning?, Nature, 293, September 1981, 5830, pp. 245-246), arguing:

Sheldrake's argument is an exercise in pseudo-science. Many readers will be left with the impression that Sheldrake has succeeded in finding a place for magic within scientific discussion - and this, indeed, may have been a part of the objective of writing such a book.

This appropriately highlights the continuing inability to interrelate contrasting perspectives -- even through use of unconventional frameworks -- as argued separately (Knowledge Processes Neglected by Science: insights from the crisis of science and belief, 2012). The problematic dynamics are further highlighted by the controversies aroused by the initiatives of Alan D. Sokal and Jean Bricmont (Fashionable Nonsense: postmodern intellectuals' abuse of science, 1998). Such issues are reminiscent of the controversy within the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages with regard to the dissonance associated with use of the tritone in sacred music -- causing it to be named as the diabolus in musica. This condemnation is now reminiscent of that by certain religions of rock and related popular music.