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Holism, sometimes referred to as holizm in Turkish contexts, is a philosophical and methodological approach that emphasizes the primacy of wholes and systems over the analysis of their parts. Proponents contend that some properties and behaviors arise only when elements interact within a larger structure, so that a complete understanding requires considering relationships, context, and history. The term was popularized in the 20th century by Jan Smuts, who contrasted holism with reductionist approaches that study parts in isolation. Influences also came from Gestalt psychology, ecological thinking, and systems theory, which stress emergent properties and the interdependence of components.

In science and practice, holism manifests in diverse fields. In biology and medicine, holism favors looking at organisms, ecosystems, and patients as integrated wholes rather than collecting isolated metrics; in ecology and environmental science, systems thinking examines feedback loops and thresholds. In the social sciences, holistic approaches analyze institutions, cultures, and social networks as interconnected wholes rather than as mere sums of individuals. Philosophical variants include metaphysical holism (the idea that some properties or truths depend on entire systems) and semantic holism (the view that meaning derives from linguistic or social context). Holism often contrasts with reductionism and analysis that seeks to explain phenomena solely in terms of their smallest components.

Critics argue that holism can be vague, difficult to test, and potentially relativistic, sometimes failing to provide precise mechanisms. Proponents counter that holism offers valuable guidance for understanding complex, integrated systems and for addressing problems that cannot be reduced to single parts. The balance between holistic and reductionist methods remains a central consideration in science, philosophy, and applied disciplines.