Holism is an interdisciplinary idea that systems possess properties as wholes apart from the properties of their component parts. It is a perspective that emphasizes the importance of studying and understanding the whole person or system rather than focusing solely on its individual parts or components. Holism holds that the nature of a system is not determined by the properties of its component parts. There are different senses of holism, including:
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Methodological holism: This is the methodological claim that systems are accurately understood according to their properties as a whole.
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Ontological holism: This sense of physical holism holds that some systems are not merely composed of their physical parts.
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Property holism: This sense of physical holism holds that some systems have properties independent of their physical parts.
Holism informs the methodology for a broad array of scientific fields and lifestyle practices. In psychology, holism is an approach to understanding the human mind and behavior that focuses on looking at things as a whole. Holistic psychologists aim to understand how various interconnected aspects, including biological, psychological, social, cultural, and environmental aspects, interact and shape an individual’s experiences and behaviors.
