Executive Summary
This research paper contrasts and compares Reductionism versus Holism approaches of Systems Thinking. It begins with an introduction of system thinking and approaches to systems thinking. The first section will be a definition of holism followed by the definition of holism. The third part will be to contrast and compare these two approaches to systems thinking and finally end with the conclusion.
Introduction
The main of this research paper is to examine the reductionism and holism concepts. The terms holism and reductionism apply to most disciplines, including science, information technology, causality, medicine and natural law. Though most will consider holism and reductionism as opposite, there is the certain degree of overlap between the two approaches, and there is room for both of them in the field of Information technology. The study of the relationships between the parts and whole from a methodological pint of view apply to systems thinking, and they go beyond the modeled thinking of either holism or reductionism (Hauc, Anto, and Vrecko, 2006).
Reductionism
Reductionism approach aims to solve problems and understand a system through examining the fragmentation of the objects of a complex aspect. The smaller division of the system assists in solving the individual parts. The reductionism approach aims to reduce the complexity of a real-world system, and the results of this approach validation are through their repeatability. The approach enables one to build knowledge through refutation of a hypothesis. The problem of each level solution is by the use of various methods but does not address all areas of a scenario about the concerned matter. Thus, this approach does not consider the program’s wholeness because its main focus is the individual tasks of the program.
Reductionism considers parts to be paramount and aim to identify the parts because understanding the parts leads to the understanding of the whole. However, approach’s main challenge is that the whole does not often seem to be in a form that is recognizable in other parts. The interaction of the parts makes up the whole, and these parts have an impact on each other in a relationship based on complex networks. The approach allows the reduction of complexity of real world variety of experiments. It then becomes possible to determine the validity of results through their repeatability. We can also use the approach to establishing knowledge through refuting hypotheses. The major source of power for the reductionist approach is the isolation of parts of an object followed by a systematic investigation of its variables in an artificial laboratory that ensures the results are unequivocal, hopeful and intelligible. Also, reductionism applies in explaining results by use of the smallest possible concepts as well as importing elaborate concepts. Thus, many scientists consider this approach to be highly satisfactory especially in chemistry that has explicable terms from concepts of energy, force, and mass (Khazanchi, Lewis, and Boyer, 2007).
In system engineering team members in a project using the reductionist approach will break down the project into small parts. Each team will handle these tasks with much lower complexity so as to attain their objectives. Thus, the team members will adopt the attitude of decomposing the whole into fragments in their analysis. They will take into account the various perspectives and planes. They will use abstract models as a representation of the several views of the decomposed system. The team members will also recognize the ability to keep the relationships and connections among all elements of the systems. They will account for the interaction of parts and ensure that they are consistent.
Holism
Holism is the alternative to reductionism in the study of systems. Holism views systems to be more than just the sum of its different parts. Thus, this approach is not interested in the parts of the systems especially its relationship based on networks for the various parts. Its primary concern is how these relationships sustain and give rise to a new entity’s existences in its whole. Thus, the approach examines and defines the system as a whole, whether a quality system, a philosophical system a river system or an automobile system. Thus of paramount importance in this approach is the whole.
Kant a philosopher and idealist argue that he did not know reality and if this reality was systemic. However, he preferred the view that it is much helpful if humans consider reality in its whole, and the parts self-organization can sustain it.
Holism provides us with the ability to understand and check the object as a whole. Using the holistic approach assists researchers to examine processes and establish conclusion of complex information such as patterns, configuration, and processes. The holistic approach helps in the understanding of the whole in a collective manner such as group culture, team spirit and the work processes of an organization. Having a holistic observation helps in understanding the unity of reality and the interconnections of various parts of a system. Holistic observation helps in better understanding of the verbal and physical spontaneously. Holistic observations are applicable in designing a research question and help a person understand objects regarding pictures. Holistic is a concept that we encounter on a daily basis (Jackson, 2003).
As humans, we can train our faculties in looking at the larger picture and not simply its constituent parts. There are other systems that cannot be explained purely by the approach of reductionism. Life itself is a holistic phenomenon. Living systems are truly of a collection of atoms. However, supposing that every organism is a collection of atoms is the main mistake among most reductionist scientists.
Systems always adopt the thinking too of the big picture or holistic approach. It acknowledges the complexity and how problems relate to one another. Managers looking at these problems acknowledge the fact that the problems are not pre-determined and not obvious, and they have to be constantly be managed and reviewed. Thus, they take the right responses towards the complex problems, and they also know that simple fixes will not result in successful solutions (Jackson, 2006). However, the solutions have to be constructed by recognizes the range of stakeholders who are impacted and implicated in the problems. The systems perspective does not call for the abandonment of the traditional analytical tools by a project manager. But it calls for integrating and complementing them via the holistic systems approaches.
Compare and contrast
Reductionism explanation and theory faces various challenges. According to some critiques reductionism places emphasis on molecular processes effects (Baranoff, 2004). Reductionism addresses a problem by studying its parts properties. A complex system gets its subdivision into parts. Reductionism considers the challenge of finding entry points of addressing cretin particulars of a system. After one has identified the parts it is possible to derive the dynamics of the whole system. A scientist has been successful in applying this method rather than using the holism approach of comparing their discoveries with the totality of the system. The reductionism approach has enabled scientists to dig deeper in their specialty and minimize their areas of research.
Holism concept has many connotations, uses, and applications. Holism believes that the relationship of parts is symmetrical and not reductionism. The underpinning of the assumption for this approach is that the parts properties help in the understanding of the whole and parts cannot be without the dynamics of the whole. Thus, in holism the whole is something more than just s the sum of its parts. Thus, the differences between the two approaches do not have necessary or automatic contradictions. One approach looks at the properties of parts while the other examines the relationship of units in the whole. Thus, the approaches stand out to be supplementary and not to conflict and inclusive and not exclusive (Khazanchi, Lewis, and Boyer, 2007).
Reductionism aims to simplify complexity by explaining complex phenomena into constituent parts. Holism examines the whole. Reductionism aims to look closely at a behavior by analyzing the very small parts of the system. The approach is on the scientific assumption known as parsimony whereby complex phenomena need explanations in its simplest principles. The systems approach has its basis from holistic and holism thinking. System thinking addresses the complexities of a system (McLeod, 2008).
Conclusion
Holism takes into consideration aspects of the whole systems while reductionism breaks down a system into units and compliments, reductionism considers finding solutions of a complex system by breaking down the system. Holism acknowledges the complexity of the whole phenomena without having to break down the system. These two approaches of systems thinking are not opposites, but they overlap one another. Holism complements reductionism and acknowledges that the parts of a system are crucial to understanding the phenomenal. Interactionism is an alternative method of reductionism. It focuses on how various analysis levels operate.
References
Baranoff Etti.2004. Risk Management More Holistic Approach. Journal of Insurance Regulation; Vol. 22, p71-81, 11p
Hauck, Anto, and Vrecko Igor. 2006. Strategy start-up and strategy implementation through the production of multiple projects. Journal of Communications and Information Sciences. No.1.vol3.issue1.7
Jackson, Michael. 2003. Creative Holism and System Thinking for Managers. Chester: Wiley
Jackson, Micheal.2006. Complex Problem Solutions and Creative Holism systems approach. Behavioral Science and Systems Research, 23(5), 647-657.
Khazanchi S., Lewis, K, and Boyer, K.2007. 11 Organizational values, Process Innovation. Journal of Operational Management. 25 (4), 871-881.
McLeod, S. A. (2008). Reductionism and Holism.
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