[Scientific reductionism and social control of mind. Part I]
1Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Basada en Evidencias, Edificio de Hemato-Oncología e Investigación, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, México D.F., México.
Abstract:
The first part of this essay starts from the conventional premise of reductionism, which states 'the whole is nothing more than the sum of its parts'. According to scientific reductionism (SR), knowledge of the complex can only be achieved through simpler components, which means complex systems are explained by reduction to its most basic parts. Three kinds of SR are defined: ontological, theoretical and methodological. SR origins dwell within the efforts made by early humans to understand natural phenomena and its importance to survival. According to E. Morin, the reason behind SR being the favorite approach in science comes from the dysjunction, reduction, simplification and exclusion paradigm. The holistic approach as opposed to SR studies vital phenomena from the idea of complexity. From this perspective, not only does SR have almost no relevance in the solution of humanity's greatest problems like society inequality, human dignity and environmental degradation, it also contributes to maintain the statu quo.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Scientific Nature of Social Psychology
The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
The Scientific Method
Social Traps
Scientific Laws and Theories


