the Spectrum of Holism

The Spectrum of Holism describes different levels at which systems can be understood as whole entities rather than just a collection of parts. On one end, some approaches focus solely on individual components, like analyzing a single cell. In the middle, holism considers how parts work together to produce behavior or meaning, such as studying how organs contribute to overall health. On the other end, extreme holism views the entire system—like ecosystems or societies—as inseparable wholes, where understanding depends on the context of the whole. This spectrum helps us recognize the appropriate level of analysis for different complex systems.