Deaf Anthology # 520: "Philosophy of Holism"

Ron Miller, an educator, coined the term holism which is a philosophy based on the premise that each person finds identity, meaning, and purpose in life through connections to the community, to the natural world, and to humanitarian values, so it is logical to assume that Deaf culture and ASL can be seen as an whole entity. Denial of its existence conflict with the purpose of the holism movement, our outlook on the world we live in. We don't in fact practice holism if we don't seek to understand what's beneath the surface, we are ignorant when we don't integrated our thoughts. True holism accepts the reality that Deafhood, audism, etc. are here to stay. Holism with its roots in the New Age are the closed-minded "extremists" of our open society. Holism if not kept in check, can drive one into insanity, whose compulsive personality disorder lead one to oppose everything positive, unable to adapt to progressive changes in our Deaf community, while being cast aside as a psychosis. Humanist sought reasoning, often are agnostics if not spiritualist, seeking answers in nature without inner nor cosmic guidance. Conclusion, holism isn't scientific, but a delusional mindset.

In education of the Deaf, we look at the Deaf child as an whole individual. Holism looks at the what, being Deaf, and depends on biased perception while reductionism look at the who, getting to understand his background, without questioning his character.

Note: I'm aware that there may be conflicting definition of holism from various fields, that's life, what more can you expect anyway. This is an essay on holism, not their disciples, no sense trying to get your viewpoint across, through a brickwall.

This is Smokey, stay tuned for the next episode of Deaf Anthology. Good night, Deaf America.