re·duc·tion·ism (r -d k sh -nz m)n. An attempt or tendency to explain a complex set of facts, entities, phenomena, or structures by another, simpler set: "For the last 400 years science has advanced by reductionism ... The idea is that you could understand the world, all of nature, by examining smaller and smaller pieces of it. When assembled, the small pieces would explain the whole" (John Holland). re·duc tion·ist adj. & n.re·duc tion·istic adj. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. | reductionist - of or relating to the theory of reductionism; "reductionist arguments" |
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