reductionism

An attempt or tendency to explain a complex set of facts, entities, phenomena, or structures by another, simpler set.

An approach to studying complex systems or ideas by reducing them to a set of simpler components.

Any of several theories holding that complex systems or ideas can always be reduced to a set of simpler components.

A theory that all complex systems can be completely understood in terms of their components.

The analysis of complex things into simpler constituents.