The term "mechanistic" refers to a perspective or approach that explains phenomena in terms of physical processes and interactions. In science, it often relates to the idea that complex systems can be understood by breaking them down into their individual components and examining how these parts work together. This view is commonly applied in fields like biology, physics, and engineering. In philosophy, a mechanistic worldview suggests that all natural events can be explained by laws of nature and cause-and-effect relationships. This contrasts with more holistic or vitalistic approaches, which may consider the influence of non-physical factors. The mechanistic approach has been influential in the development of modern science and technology.