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Pragmatic Holism*1

Bruce Edmonds
Centre for Policy Modelling,
Manchester Metropolitan University,
Aytoun Building, Aytoun Street,
Manchester, M1 3GH, UK.

In the face of complexity, even an in-principle reductionist may be at the same time a pragmatic holist.*2

Contents
Abstract
1 - Introduction
2 - The reductionist/holist debate
3 - Practical limits to modelling
4 - The number - complexity analogy
5 - Formal modelling and reductionism
6 - Heuristics in the search for truth
7 - Conclusion - combining a plurality of techniques
Acknowledgements
References

Pragmatic Holism - Bruce Edmonds - 22 FEB 96
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