holistic science

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Holistic science is a scientific paradigm which emphasizes the study of complex systems in their entirety. One of the central concepts in holistic science is feedback. By its very nature, all holistic science is multidisciplinary. Some advocates of holistic scientists refer to orthodox science as reductionist science or the reductionist paradigm. This is a reference to the tendency of classical science to break systems down into manageable parts for study. This contrasts with the holistic premise that there is a qualitative difference between an entire system and its constituent parts - a difference that warrants scientific scrutiny. The difference between the two kinds of science lies not only in the subjects chosen for study, but also in the methods and assumptions used to study them. That said, holistic methods are not generally at odds with the classical scientific method. As most holistic scientists come from a classical science backgroud, most holistic work in science is, to varying degrees, a marriage of the two approaches.

Examples of Holistic Fields of Study in Science

System Dynamics Modelling

In system dynamics modeling, a field that originated at MIT, a holistic controlling paradigm organizes scientific method, but uses the results of reductionist science to define static relationships between variables in a modeling procedure that permits simulation of the dynamics of the system under study.

Complexity Theory

Another area of intense holistic scientific research is complexity theory. Research in this area began in 1980s at the Santa Fe Institute, and this institute remains a driving force in the field.

Cognitive Science

The field of cognitive science, or the study of mind and intelligence, can be argued to be an example of holistic science in that cognition arises only within an entire system (i.e. the human body). Although certain parts (such as fingers) can be removed without adversely impacting the ability to cognize, other parts (such as the brain) are crucial.

Neural Networks and Artificial Intelligence

Another category of holistic research consists of attempts to simulate the human brain or build systems that function along the same lines as the human brain. The field as a whole is called artifical intelligence and the subfield neural networks in particular can be considered holistic, as it is based on the assumption that connections and feedback between simple nodes arranged in a system, or network, can give rise to behavior similar to intelligent or cognition-based behavior.

Other Examples

Two examples of how holistic and reductionist science can be mutually supportive and cooperative are Free choice profiling, and Goethean Methodology.

Holistic science in academe and literature

Academic institutions have been slow to accept holistic science as a real discipline. Those that have include Schumacher College in the UK, which offers an MSc degree program in Holistic Science. Two books considered to have had a major influence on the development of the holistic science concept are The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig.

Opposing Views

Holistic science is controversial. One opposing view is that holistic science is "pseudoscience" because it does not follow the scientific method despite the use of a scientifically-sounding language.