WHOLISM
Charles François (2004). WHOLISM, International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(2): 3780.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 3780 ▶ |
| Object type | General information |
A near synonym for “holism ”, and even “systemism”.
Some few authors use this word because “systems”, “systemics”, etc… are frequently associated with computer technology or systems analysis , or systems engineering . Such confusion obscures the deeper meaning of “wholism” as the specific global or wholesale approach to complex systems and/or issues .
As to “holism”, it has now been kind of “hijacked” by an important group of practitioners of non main-line medicine.
Moreover, it has been sometimes unduly defined as antagonistic to reductionism , while of course both methodologies should be used in a complementary way, according to need.
In fact, the multiplication of denominations for the systemic approach is confusing in itself.