Fig. 1: Reductionism overview.

a Methodological reductionism views complex entities as a sum of smaller components, with the complexity of any system being dependent on the number of smaller units comprising the whole. The complexity of any system is dependent on the number of smaller units composing the whole. b Breaking down a complex system into smaller parts facilitates better understanding. However, technological limitations may prevent us from fully comprehending the entire system. c While individual parts of a complex system can be thoroughly investigated, the interactions between certain components, as well as the functioning of the system as a whole, often remain unclear.