reductionism
UK[rɪˈdʌkʃənɪzəm]US[rɪˈdʌkʃənɪzəm]
n
The practice of analyzing and describing a complex phenomenon in terms of its simple or fundamental constituents, especially when this is said to provide a sufficient explanation.
n
A philosophical position 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.
Morpheme Breakdown
reduction
ism
reduction
act of making less
ism
doctrine or practice
Etymology
The term "reductionism" is a modern philosophical and scientific compound, built upon the older word "reduction." The core, "reduction," originates from the Latin reducere, meaning "to lead back" or "bring back," composed of re- (back) and ducere (to lead). Its conceptual shift from a physical "bringing back" to an analytical "simplifying" or "breaking down" occurred in scientific discourse. The suffix "-ism," borrowed from Greek -ismos and denoting a distinctive practice or doctrine, was appended in the 20th century to formally name the philosophical stance that complex phenomena are best understood by reducing them to their more basic, constituent parts or principles.
Analysis
Structure: reduction (act of making less) + ism (doctrine or practice)
- reduction: From Latin reduction-, reductio (a bringing back), from reducere (to bring back). In this context, it functions as the core concept of "bringing down to a simpler form."
- ism: A suffix of Greek origin (via Latin -ismus), forming nouns of action, system, principle, or doctrine. It denotes a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy.
Examples
Critics argue that the biologist's approach was pure reductionism, ignoring the emergent properties of the whole ecosystem.
In psychology, reductionism might attempt to explain human emotions solely in terms of neural activity.
His reductionism led him to view the intricate social conflict as a simple economic calculation.