reductionism
|re/duc/tion/ism|
C1
🇺🇸
/rɪˈdʌkʃəˌnɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/rɪˈdʌkʃənɪzəm/
simplifying complex systems
Etymology
Etymology Information
'reductionism' originates from the Latin word 'reductio,' where 're-' meant 'back' and 'ducere' meant 'to lead.'
Historical Evolution
'reductio' transformed into the English word 'reduction,' and eventually became the modern English word 'reductionism.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to lead back,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'interpreting complex systems as the sum of their parts.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a philosophical position that interprets a complex system as the sum of its parts.
The scientist's approach to the problem was rooted in reductionism.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42