| Title | Holism and evolution |
|---|---|
| Author | by Gen. The right hon. J. C. Smuts |
| Publication | Macmillan |
| Size | XIII, 368p |
| Language | ENG |
| ISBN | |
| Topics |
Holism (Social sciences) Holism (Philosophy) Whole and parts (Philosophy) Philosophy--Evolutionism |
| Notes | While in academia, Smuts pioneered the concept of holism, defined as "the tendency in nature to form wholes that are greater than the sum of the parts through creative evolution" in his 1926 book, Holism and Evolution. Smuts' formulation of holism has been linked with his political-military activity, especially his aspiration to create a league of nations. As one biographer said: It had very much in common with his philosophy of life as subsequently developed and embodied in his Holism and Evolution. Small units must needs develop into bigger wholes, and they in their turn again must grow into larger and ever-larger structures without cessation. Advancement lay along that path. Thus the unification of the four provinces in the Union of South Africa, the idea of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and, finally, the great whole resulting from the combination of the peoples of the earth in a great league of nations were but a logical progression consistent with his philosophical tenets. [wikipedia] |