Changes

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: [[explanation]] of [[complex]] life-[[science]] [[processes]] and [[phenomena]] in terms of the [[laws]] of [[physics]] and [[chemistry]]; also : a [[theory]] or [[doctrine]] that complete reductionism is possible

*1: [[explanation]] of [[complex]] life-[[science]] [[processes]] and [[phenomena]] in terms of the [[laws]] of [[physics]] and [[chemistry]]; also : a [[theory]] or [[doctrine]] that complete reductionism is possible

*2: a [[procedure]] or [[theory]] that reduces [[complex]] [[data]] and phenomena to [[simple]] [[terms]]  

*2: a [[procedure]] or [[theory]] that reduces [[complex]] [[data]] and phenomena to [[simple]] [[terms]]

 

 

==Description==

==Description==

'''Reductionism''' can mean either (a) an approach to [[understanding]] the [[nature]] of [[complex]] things by reducing them to the [[interactions]] of their [[parts]], or to [[simpler]] or more fundamental [[things]] or (b) 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. This can be said of objects, [[phenomena]], [[explanations]], theories, and [[meanings]].

'''Reductionism''' can mean either (a) an approach to [[understanding]] the [[nature]] of [[complex]] things by reducing them to the [[interactions]] of their [[parts]], or to [[simpler]] or more fundamental [[things]] or (b) 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. This can be said of objects, [[phenomena]], [[explanations]], theories, and [[meanings]].