Holism
/ˈhoʊ.lɪ.zəm/noun
The idea that systems and their properties should be viewed as wholes, not just as a collection of parts.
Did you know?The concept of holism can be traced back to ancient philosophies that believed in the interconnectedness of all life and the universe, echoing modern spiritual and ecological movements.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὅλος (holos)
“Whole, entire, complete.”
19th Century
English
holism
“A term coined to describe the importance of whole systems in understanding phenomena.”
Modern English
English
holism
“The philosophy that parts of a whole are in intimate interconnection, such that they cannot exist independently.”
20th Century
English
holism
“Adoption in various fields such as psychology, ecology, and medicine, emphasizing the importance of the whole over the individual components.”