Issues & Debates: Reductionism and Holism

Question 1

What is reductionism?

Answer 1

Scientific theory of explaining complex processes by reducing or simplifying them into their most basic parts.

Question 2

What are the strengths and weaknesses of reductionism?

Answer 2

Strength:

• Appropriate when there’s a clear, single explanation
• Easier to investigate

Weakness:
- Explanation may end up too simplistic and could overlook other factors.

Question 3

What is holism?

Answer 3

Theory that a process cannot be understood by its individual parts alone, but must be looked at and understood as a whole.

Question 4

What are the strengths and weaknesses of holism?

Answer 4

Strength:
- Takes into account the fact that many factors work together to cause smth

Weakness:
- Difficult to carry out b/c it means investigating lots of variables simultaneously

• Unscientific b/c findings and resulting theories can only apply to a particular individual.