reductionism and determinism in social sciences

Reductionism in social sciences refers to the perspective that complex human phenomena can be explained and understood by breaking them down into simpler parts or components. It suggests that analyzing individual elements, such as human behavior or societal structures, can provide a comprehensive understanding of the whole. Determinism in social sciences, on the other hand, refers to the concept that human behavior and societal outcomes are entirely predetermined by external factors such as genetics, environment, or social forces. It proposes that individuals and societies do not possess free will or agency, and their actions and outcomes can be predicted or explained based on these deterministic factors.

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