Final answer:
Reductionism is the view that complex phenomena can be explained by reducing them to simpler components. Materialism asserts that only physical matter exists, while nominalism denies the existence of abstract entities.
Step-by-step explanation:
- Reductionism: Reductionism is the philosophical view that complex phenomena can be explained by reducing them to simpler and more fundamental components. It argues that everything can be understood in terms of its constituent parts. For example, in biology, reductionism suggests that complex organisms can be understood by studying their individual cells and molecules.
- Materialism: Materialism is a philosophical view that asserts that only physical matter exists in the universe. It denies the existence of any non-physical or spiritual substances. According to materialism, everything can be explained in terms of the properties and interactions of matter and energy.
- Nominalism: Nominalism is a philosophical view that denies the existence of abstract entities, such as universals or concepts, and argues that only individual objects or particular instances exist. It holds that general terms or categories are merely names or labels we assign to groups of similar objects.