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Gestalt principles of grouping / Epistemology principles of reductionism

Don Wade December 28, 2021 at 17:44 2200 views 5 comments
In an effort to understand: (What do we know ?), two methodologies seem to dominate the approach. One is: "The principles of reductionism in epistemology vs the principles of grouping in gestalt. Are these two principles similar?

Comments (5)

Miller December 28, 2021 at 18:37 #636141
Quoting Don Wade
What do we know ?


you can map out the territory, but the map is not the territory

and a map also tells you nothing about what and why the territory is, it just maps it out
T Clark December 28, 2021 at 21:04 #636207
Reply to Don Wade

Suggest you define your terms; describe the issue; and give your own thoughts.
Don Wade December 29, 2021 at 01:23 #636252
Reply to T Clark Quoting T Clark
Suggest you define your terms; describe the issue; and give your own thoughts.


Most people on this philosophy forum are probably familiar with the term "Epistemology" in their own (search for knowledge). They will also probably recognize the term "Reductionism" as being a form of philosophy that is often quoted "as an intellectual and philosophical position that interprets a complex system as the sum of its parts." (Wikipedia).

A phrase often quoted in gestalt: "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts." deals with how we (humans) deal with visual information as being a whole, parts of a whole, or something greater. In many cases the terms-of-description seem the same, or at least similar.

Modern science doesn't seem to recognize gestalt as a "real" science because gestalt recognizes "emergence" - which doesn't seem to fit with reductionism. My question is: Aren't these two systems similar?
T Clark December 29, 2021 at 03:21 #636267
Quoting Don Wade
They will also probably recognize the term "Reductionism" as being a form of philosophy that is often quoted "as an intellectual and philosophical position that interprets a complex system as the sum of its parts.


Quoting Don Wade
A phrase often quoted in gestalt: "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts." deals with how we (humans) deal with visual information as being a whole, parts of a whole, or something greater.


Generally, you'll find that, although you think the definitions of terms such as these are obvious, other people will think they mean something different. Those types of differences often spin discussions into confusion here on the the forum. The terms "gestalt" and "reductionism" also have more complex implications and applications than your over-simple definitions indicate. You've given us very little to work with.

I'll leave it at that and bow out of the conversation.
Don Wade December 29, 2021 at 15:08 #636349
Reply to T Clark Quoting T Clark
Generally, you'll find that, although you think the definitions of terms such as these are obvious, other people will think they mean something different. Those types of differences often spin discussions into confusion here on the the forum. The terms "gestalt" and "reductionism" also have more complex implications and applications than your over-simple definitions indicate. You've given us very little to work with.


Thanks for the input. Not a lot of information...but enough. In order to learn anything new, we need enough "starter-information" to, in essence, to "prime-the-pump". I didn't do that. Sorry.