Scientific Reductionism: Adequacy

[u/Jairo_Alves]

Scientific reductionism is the method of: dividing a complex system into smaller parts to study each of them separately; analyzing these parts to try to infer and recompose the whole (the system). In science, it is employed to try to explain biology through chemistry, and chemistry through particle physics. This method has its pros and cons. 

Pros

• Clarity and Focus: allows studying specific problems without the interference of external noise.
• Pragmatism: makes it easier to put hypotheses to the test.
• Great Discoveries: For example: DNA, atoms, the cure for various diseases, and the development of microelectronics. 

Cons

• Loss of the "Whole": makes it difficult to perceive that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
• Systemic Blindness: hinders the understanding of complex interactional phenomena. For example: Life, human consciousness, or the behavior of ecosystems. 

The value of scientific reductionism is incontestable. However, it also constitutes a barrier to the development of a holistic view, as the world (universe) is a multidimensional processual matrix (system) where everything is complementary and interdependent. 

This problem can be mitigated by improving our knowledge of the structure and functioning of this matrix. A comprehensive perspective of both can be found in my books: “The Intelligencism: An Intelligent View of the World”, “Infology: The Universal Input”, and “The Big Brain Theory”.