1. relating to or characterized by reductionism; tending to explain complex phenomena in terms of simple or fundamental principles
Usage: often used in academic or scientific contexts

1. a person who practices or advocates reductionism
Usage: academic or philosophical contexts

Examples

• The reductionist approach to psychology focuses on breaking down behavior into basic components.
• Critics argued that his reductionist view of art ignored its emotional complexity.
• She rejected the reductionist explanation that reduced all human motivation to survival instincts.
• The scientist was labeled a reductionist for trying to explain consciousness through brain chemistry alone.
• Many philosophers oppose reductionist theories of the mind.
• The reductionist model failed to account for the system’s emergent properties.