reductionism
IPA: rʌdˈʌkʃʌnɪzʌm
noun
- An approach to studying complex systems or ideas by reducing them to a set of simpler components.
- (philosophy) A philosophical position which holds that a complex system is nothing but the sum of its parts, and that an account of it can be reduced to accounts of individual constituents. In a reductionist framework, the phenomena that can be explained completely in terms of relations between other more fundamental phenomena, are called "epiphenomena".
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Examples of "reductionism" in Sentences
- Reductionism is often criticized for oversimplifying complex systems by breaking them down into their individual parts
- In science, reductionism can lead to valuable insights, but it may overlook the interactions that are crucial to understanding a whole
- The philosophy of reductionism argues that understanding the components of a system can fully explain its behavior
- Critics of reductionism suggest that it can result in a loss of context and meaning, particularly in fields like psychology and sociology
- Embracing a holistic approach can sometimes provide a more comprehensive view than strict reductionism allows
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