Kokonaisuuslähtöistä

Kokonaisuuslähtöistä is a Finnish term that translates to "holistic" or "wholistic" in English. It refers to an approach or perspective that considers the entirety of something rather than its individual parts. This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of elements within a system.

In practice, kokonaisuuslähtöistä thinking is applied across various fields. In education, it means understanding a subject not in isolation but as part of a broader curriculum and in relation to the student's overall development. In healthcare, a kokonaisuuslähtöistä approach to patient care considers the physical, mental, and social well-being of the individual, rather than just treating a specific symptom. In environmental science, it involves examining ecosystems as complex, interacting wholes, recognizing that changes in one part can affect the entire system.

The core idea is that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. By focusing on the relationships and interactions between components, one can gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding. This contrasts with a reductionist approach, which breaks down complex systems into smaller, more manageable units for analysis. Kokonaisuuslähtöistä thinking encourages looking for patterns, emergent properties, and the overall function or purpose of the system. It is a valuable framework for tackling complex problems and making informed decisions by considering all relevant factors and their interplay.