Chemical Reductionism

Chemical reductionism is the idea that complex chemical systems and phenomena can be understood by breaking them down into their simpler, fundamental parts—usually individual atoms and molecules. In philosophy of chemistry, this concept suggests that the behavior and properties of substances can be fully explained by the interactions and relationships of these basic components. While this approach can provide valuable insights, it also raises questions about whether higher-level observations and properties, such as emergent behaviors in complex systems, can be fully captured by examining only the simpler parts.