Reductionism, Holism and System Dynamics

The objective of this paper is to examine the concepts of holism and
reductionism as they relate to System Dynamics (SD) and to a lesser extent Systems
Thinking (ST) then to relate the findings of that examination to some of the
disillusionment with SD and the resultant lack of commercial take up. This paper
looks at the concepts of Reductionism and Holism as applied throughout the SD
literature in a broad range of academic areas from medicine and philosophy to physics
and looks at different definitions of holism, and reductionism. Practical applications
of Reductionist and Holistic principles are examined. From this analysis the
fundamental nature of SD as a Holistic/Reductionist methodology is deduced and
differentiated from the more generally holistic nature of ST. From this basis the
conclusion that SD is a reductionist methodology in practice, though not necessarily
described as such by practitioners, is postulated. The paper recommends that there be
further work carried out in the field of theoretical and practical holism and greater
awareness of these issues within the practitioner community. Within the conclusions
there is a pointer for some further fundamental areas of work.