reductionism

American  

[ri-duhk-shuh-niz-uhm] / rɪˈdʌk ʃəˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. the theory that every complex phenomenon, especially in biology or psychology, can be explained by analyzing the simplest, most basic physical mechanisms that are in operation during the phenomenon.

2. the practice of simplifying a complex idea, issue, condition, or the like, especially to the point of minimizing, obscuring, or distorting it.

---

reductionism British  

/ rɪˈdʌkʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the analysis of complex things, data, etc, into less complex constituents

2. derogatory any theory or method that holds that a complex idea, system, etc, can be completely understood in terms of its simpler parts or components

---

Other Word Forms

• reductionist
  noun
• reductionistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of reductionism

First recorded in 1940–45; reduction + -ism

Explanation

Reductionism is the act of oversimplifying an issue, breaking it down into small parts that don't reflect how complex it actually is. Political scientists might accuse journalists of reductionism when they briefly sum up a complicated topic. You might come across the term reductionism in a philosophy class — in this context, any scientific theory, object, or meaning can be reduced to its individual parts. If you understand these smaller components, you will understand the larger concept. A more derogatory way to use the word is to accuse someone of trying to make something too simple through reductionism. Someone who tends to do this is known as a reductionist.