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Questions and Answers
Reductionism treats science like a ______.
math equation
The classic conditions for proving that A causes B are three-fold: A always precedes B, B always follows A, and there is no ______ that could also cause B.
C
Baked into reductionist science is the assumption that the world operates in a ______ way.
linear
According to reductionist philosophers, our thoughts and emotions are results of chemical reactions that go back to the ______ itself.
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Reductionist research can lead to ______ findings.
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Study Notes
Reductionism in Science
- Reductionism treats scientific inquiry akin to a mathematical equation, emphasizing cause and effect relationships.
- The goal is to confidently establish that A causes B, paving the way for potential solutions to reduce or eliminate problematic outcomes (e.g., reducing liver cancer by minimizing exposure to aflatoxin).
- This approach operates under the assumption that the world functions linearly, driven by simple causal relationships.
Conditions for Establishing Causality
- Three classic conditions are necessary to prove that A causes B:
- A must consistently precede B.
- B must always occur after A.
- No other factor C should be able to cause B.
Philosophical Implications
- Reductionist philosophy posits that the universe operates mechanically, akin to a clock, suggesting deterministic behavior.
- Some thinkers propose that free will is an illusion, links human thoughts and emotions to a chain of chemical reactions stemming back to the Big Bang.
Limitations of Reductionism
- The metaphor by psychologist Abraham Maslow suggests that a narrow perspective can limit problem-solving approaches; seeing only in terms of simple causality can obscure complex realities.
- Reductionist research produces findings that are inherently reductionist, potentially overlooking deeper complexities in phenomena.
- If simple causality is not evident in research, it may indicate that the methodology is flawed or that there is a lack of advanced observational or computational tools to uncover hidden causalities.
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Description
Explore the concept of reductionism as discussed in Chapter 5. This chapter delves into how reductionism views scientific inquiry similarly to mathematical equations, focusing on cause-and-effect relationships. Understand the implications of stating that one factor causes another and its significance in fields like health research.
