Neurological Insights in Peace Building: Towards an Indian Appropriation

Although science is blamed for the arms race and the nuclear weapons that largely threaten the world peace, there are also observations to the contrary that as science is progressing, there is a decline in violence. Many branches of science today have something to contribute to Peace. In Physics, the paradox about creation and destruction or life and death is epitomized in the famous equation of Einstein, E = MC2. Genetic roots of altruism and empathy have been studied by geneticists. As a result of the overarching breakthroughs in brain researches, there is a brain-based approach to peace building. This approach to peace presumes that behavior is very much governed by the functioning of the brain. Persons who have a developed set of mirror neurons have less inclination for violence and they tend to be very empathetic and altruistic. It has been remarked by neurologists that neurological disorders are very much at the root of terrorism and militant activities. Certain researches claim that transcendental meditation does bear an impact on peace and tranquility in the society at large. Such claims can be found to be analogically sharing the intuitive vision of the ancient Indian sages, as captured in the metaphors of rta, Yajña, bandhu, nidhana, etc. Critically examining the claim of the correlation between meditation and peace, this paper argues that while such claims remain far being scientific, a philosophical appropriation of them within the larger metaphysical framework of the ancient Hindu worldview bestows some academic merit and respect upon them.