HOLISM

holism, holistic theory

(noun) the theory that the parts of any whole cannot exist and cannot be understood except in their relation to the whole; “holism holds that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”; “holistic theory has been applied to ecology and language and mental states”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

holism (countable and uncountable, plural holisms)

A theory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. [from 1926]

A practice based on such a theory or belief.

Source: Wiktionary