Reductionism is a philosophical approach that breaks complex systems into their simpler components to understand them better. It suggests that by studying the individual parts, one can gain insights into the whole system. This method is commonly used in various fields, including biology, psychology, and physics.
Critics of reductionism argue that it may overlook the interactions and relationships between components, which can be crucial for understanding the system as a whole. They advocate for a more holistic approach, which considers the complexity and interdependence of parts within systems, such as in ecology or sociology.