PHILOSOPHY JOURNAL

by Valerie Pennacchio, D.C., '90

Article 2 "The science of chiropractic holds that a universal intelligence created and is maintaining everything in the universe. This is manifested by movement and is called life."      - R. W. Stephenson

As we know, the major premise of chiropractic, Principle #1 from Stephenson’s Text, is that “A universal intelligence is in all matter and continually gives to it all its properties and actions, thus maintaining it in existence.” D.D. Palmer also said chiropractic is founded on tone. As a philosopher, I find myself contemplating the relationship between these two statements. Surely if chiropractic is founded on tone, the concept must be evident within the major premise.

Surprisingly, as I’ve searched for confirmation of this thought, I have found that possibly Albert Einstein best expressed the philosophy of chiropractic through his equation E=mc˛. Einstein tells us that all things in the universe are forms of energy that move at their own particular rate. He expressed in mathematical precision the notion that the physical structures that we can see, touch, and measure are actually expressions of specific movement or vibrations moving at a specific rate that is unique to that entity. Those specific movements or vibrations he refers to embody the very concept of tone.

When we talk about matter, we are also talking about energy. Matter and energy are really interchangeable forms that exist at different rates of vibration or movement. The major premise of chiropractic states that universal intelligence continually gives to matter (or energy) all its properties and actions thus maintaining the matter (or energy) in existence. So, what are these specific properties and actions that, as expressions of universal intelligence, maintain the very existence of matter?

Modern physicists tell us that all physicality has movement or vibration. With this understanding we can deduce that a property is a specific movement unique to a specific form. If we consider the atoms that comprise a specific form (recognizing that atoms are constantly in relationship with each other) then a property can be defined as a consistent pattern of motion unique to that form.

For example, a property of a solid is that the molecules/atoms move relatively rigidly in relationship to each other. The atoms are closely packed and have strong interactive forces. If everything in the universe expresses movement then there is movement in a solid even though imperceptible to the naked eye. If you consider the property of a gas relative to how the atoms relate to one another, we know the molecules move largely independent of one another.

The classic example of forms changing in response to the molecular relationship and rate of movement within them is the ice cube (a solid) melting to a liquid and then being heated to become steam. The molecules of the ice cube relate at a slower, denser vibration than that of the liquid, while the molecules of the gas move at a much faster, more independent rate than either the solid or liquid.

Let’s consider the term action used in the major premise in this discussion now. Webster defines an action as “the bringing about of an alteration by force.” Since an action is an alteration in response to a force, then that alteration might be viewed as a change in expression, a change in vibratory rate based on the force that is received. One explanation of an action then, can be a variable pattern of motion when molecules/atoms are in a transitional state. If we revisit the ice cube example, the action takes place when the ice cube is melting before it actually becomes liquid, and again when the molecules speed up just before manifesting as steam.

How do these terms, properties and actions pertain to a living, adapting being? Vibrations of the body can be atomic (molecular), metabolic and functional. In a muscle, for example, the atomic vibrations form specific molecules into the muscle fibers that are recognized by us as muscle fibers. The metabolic process maintains the fibers. These are the properties of the muscle. The action of the muscle is demonstrated when it contracts. The function of a muscle fiber is to contract; contracted muscle fibers can be seen as a variable pattern of motion brought about by a specific force (a mental impulse).

In summary, universal intelligence is continually coordinating and integrating all things. In the physical world all things have motion or vibration. Thus, universal intelligence continually gives to matter all its organization through persistent (properties) and variable (actions) patterns of motion. And these properties and actions give universal intelligence its expression in the physical world. Whether it is a persistent or variable pattern, it is motion. Motion is tone. “Chiropractic - founded on tone.”

Read Article 3  in this series

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