THANKS for having Professor Vilayanur S. Ramachandran on your Cover Story (April 7), with the focus on much of his `cognitive science (neuroaesthetics)'. As far back as 1995, I made a reference to his observations on Chola architecture (Parvathi) and the laws of aesthetics at a seminar in Madurai. I also singled out his contribution as providing complementarity to the work of the brain scientist Antonio Damasio in my article on cognitive science (Journal of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research, 2005, page199). So I am one of those who thoroughly enjoyed the interview by Sashi Kumar.
However, one major point that intrigues me is the ominous pull towards Vedantic Parabrahman. My impression is that the cognitive scientist in him has been shadowed by the traditional allegiance, which can never receive any support from current cognitive science. With what quantum string will he be able to bell Schrodinger's Cat? Let him say this has `enormous implications for philosophy', implying thereby that scientific questions are toto mundo different from philosophical questions. He wonders whether life, consciousness is scientific or philosophical. A paradigm philosophical question is `why do I exist?' Such existential questions are not a brain scientist's cup of tea. Besides, such a disjoint mode is not in vogue within cognitive science. Sashi Kumar also thinks there is a `co-evolution' with which he may agree but if so they talk past each other.
The quintessence of cognitive science is that we cross-fertilize. We have a conjoint mode. Much of the interview is therefore marred by a scrupulous Ramachandran finding it hard to escape from the `Brahman'. The two Ramas are pulling him in opposite directions. What underlies this belief is his work on mirror neurons. If you read his mentor Rizzolati's work in conjunction with Ramachandran's work you will find that while Rizzolati's work is cautious not to take it beyond understanding the `intentions' of others, Ramachandran stretches it to an extreme that is not at all warranted (Marco Iacoboni's 2005 distinction between `classical mirror' and `logically related neurons' looks sufficient to question the first premise below):
Mirror neurons mirror;It `dissolves' the barrierbetween self with theother;Mirror neurons aretherefore to be called`Dalai Lama neurons';There is then a cognitivebasis for easternmysticism;
We are all reflectionswithin a single cosmic reality (parabrahman);So Indian mind has already gone beyond theWestern pragmatic (scientific) mind.
The greatest challenge before Ramachandran is to show how to ensure the passage to the last line of the above argument without falling into absurdity. Even assuming the first premise, there is no passage to reach the cyberspace of Brahman or cosmic dance of Siva. But such an assumption is not guaranteed for the simple reason that other people's intention is involved: mirror neurons only mirror the intentions and cannot dissolve. If it dissolves, how will you get back your own self and thus what you call your `I' is likely to be `dissolved'. Will he agree that it is in the mind of the brain? (I owe this counter to Antonio Damasio; see p.305ff of his book The Feeling of What Happens?; 2000). For Damasio, consciousness is the feeling or emotion of what happens. It is an ananda or bodily state.
Enough to prove that Rama's argument is a non sequitur. Ramachandran may retort saying that this is `hair-splitting' by a philosopher. But this is not. Similar remarks apply to synesthesia and brain in a vat. Their vulnerability has been shown by other writers. What he understands is that cognitive science is exciting. What he does not is that it will not attest to the tradition he comes from. His zeal needs to be evaluated further by scientists and philosophers which he richly deserves.
A. KanthamaniPROFESSOR, COGNITIVE SCIENCE GROUPDEPARTMENT OFPHILOSOPHYUNIVERSITY OF CALICUT
IN the two-page graphic work on various "Dehumanising Revolutions", the remark "They [J. Watson and F. Crick] discovered that the complementarity of the double helix explains the complementarity of parent and offspring" is ambiguous.
It suggests that the double helix's two strands are responsible for determining heredity. This is not the case. The complementarity of characters between parents and offspring is determined by the shared genes of parents, and the information present in the nucleotide sequences of those genes.
Rupinder SayalPATIALA, PUNJAB
NEUROSCIENCE can help in solving the problems in the understanding and treatment of autism and Alzheimer's disease. It is not correct to conclude that science would lead to metaphysics being `painted into a corner'.
S.R.K. MoorthyHYDERABAD
Kurien's exitVERGHESE Kurien quit as chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation before he was made to quit ("Milkman's exit", April 7). An institution is always bigger than the individual who makes it. This simple principle, escapes many Indian institution-builders who begin to look upon their creations as their own fiefdom.
J. AkshaySECUNDERABAD
Missing tigersTHE article "Survival at stake" (April 7) depicted the grim picture of poaching in Ranthambhore and other forest reserves and threw light on the deteriorating administrative system of the park. The government should take preventive action to ensure that our natural habitats remain intact.
Brij BhushanJODHPUR, RAJASTHAN
THE `conservation crisis' at the various tiger reserves of the country is not a recent development. It has been building up over the past decade. Tourism is not a conservation tool in this country. Funds that would otherwise go into conservation efforts are being used to develop the tourism infrastructure. The crisis in Ranthambhore is a testimony to this. It is not a coincidence that the `tiger crisis' has come to light at a time when a sustained campaign is ... urging people to visit the forests of `Incredible India'.
While a dedicated wildlife service and wildlife crimes bureau and enhanced protection measures are something that most conservationists would wish for in India, it must be remembered that following the initiation of Project Tiger, the number of tigers rose dramatically. Conservation was at its shining best and this was achieved by ordinary State Forest Departments. What one needs are drastic changes in priorities: national parks and sanctuaries were not created for tourism, which should be controlled and not take precedence over protection.
S.B. DattaDEHRA DUN
Congress politicsIT is a matter of concern that the Congress continues to resort to undemocratic means. When caught in the act, it tries to escape opprobrium by creating the impression of injured innocence. We saw that happening in Parliament.
A. MeghaHYDERABAD
Mumbai PoliceR. K. RAGHAVAN'S article was analytical and unbiased ("Travails of Mumbai Police', April 7). What he has written about Mumbai Police holds good for the entire Maharashtra police. Though there are occasional aberrations, the State police in are a dependable lot.
B. Phani BabuPUNE, MAHARASHTRA
Child labourCHILD labour is not a new problem and its roots are deep ("Young slaves of Mumbai", April 7). It is unfortunate that there are so many child labourers, engaged in both the organised and unorganised sectors. Among the hardships they put up with are long working hours, hazardous working conditions and low wages. In the absence of education, leisure and proper care, these children hardly have any childhood.
SHITANGSHU BHARTIPATNA
CHILDREN are the most vulnerable group in the labour market. They lave less bargaining power. The report and the accompanying pictures were moving. But governments, it seems, are not moved.
NEERAJ KUMAR JHAJAIPUR
Kargil heroesTHE article "Where heroes lost" (February 24) brought out how the real heroes of Kargil 1999 have been neglected owing to games played at the highest levels in the Army.
This happens when dissent, and even argument, is treated as disloyalty, while `yes-men' make career advancement. Some of the troops and young officers who carried weapons and ammunition on their backs, in darkness and at high altitude in the face of Pakistani fire also carried the heavy burden of the failures of senior officers.
The Indian Army's reputation that young officers lead from the front is proved by the unusually high battle casualty rate of officers compared to any other army.
Maj. Gen. (RETD)S.G. VombatkereMYSORE, KARNATAKA
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