Skip to content

holism

noun

  1. idea of viewing system as a whole
  2. a theory that the universe and especially living nature is correctly seen in terms of interacting wholes (as of living organisms) that are more than the mere sum of elementary particles
  3. a core theoretical approach in anthropology that seeks to create an integrative synthesis or encompassing perspective based on considering any individual elements in terms of their relationships with other individual elements and the greater whole
L35836 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

noun

Etymology: From hol- (“whole, entire, total”) + -ism. Coined in 1926 by Jan Smuts.

  1. A theory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
  2. A practice based on such a theory or belief.