Abstract
There are various scientific approaches to agricultural sustainability. Research can be holistic, reductionistic, statistical, or systematic. Philosophical beliefs often guide the choice. Each approach has strengths and weaknesses, and solutions are often gained by a combination. Nevertheless, the reductionistic approach is the one most favored by scientists, granting agencies, and journal editors, because in the past, reductionistic science was the driving force for the tremendous gains in farm yield that improved the lives and economy of farmers and city dwellers alike. However, the critical goal now is not increasing yield, but producing yield sustainably, that is, in a manner that does not pollute the environment and at a price that is affordable. There is enough yield to feed everyone in the world (but getting the yield to the people who need it is another matter). Reductionistic science can propose mechanisms for increasing sustainability, but the holistic approach can determine which mechanisms will solve the problem.
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Jordan, C.F. (2013). Holism vs. Reductionism in Environmental Science. In: An Ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Agriculture. Environmental Challenges and Solutions, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6790-4_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6790-4_8
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