reductionism
ri-DUK-shuh-niz-um
Definition
The practice of analyzing a complex phenomenon by reducing it to a single, oversimplified cause or explanation, ignoring its multifaceted nature.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'reducere' (to bring back) and the suffix '-ism', the term gained prominence in 20th-century philosophy to describe scientific and intellectual approaches that explain complex systems solely through their simplest components.
In the news
The reviewer praises the author for avoiding reductionism in his analysis of the Kashmiri saint Lal Ded, choosing instead to present a complex view of her role rather than forcing her into a single, narrow category.
Beyond Narratives: Reconstructing Kashmir’s Civilizational Consciousness—A Critical Review of Hues of Kashmir: Perspectives of Cultural History by Professor Rattan Lal Hangloo. Reviewed by Sanjay Pandita
Read the full article ↗KashmirPEN