The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

来源：百度文库编辑：神马文学网时间：2024/04/29 13:39:58

Who originated the phrase The whole is greater than the sum of its parts?
In:Science
[Edit]
1. The whole is more than the sum of its parts. Aristotle, Metaphysica
2. Max Wertheimer Gestalt theory (1920s)
3. SYNERGETICS: Explorations in the Geometry of Thinking by R. Buckminster Fuller in collaboration with E. J. Applewhite; First Published by Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc. 1975, 1979
would appreciate knowing of any other attributions!
Additional attribution -- Kurt Koffka: "It has been said: The whole is more than the sum of its parts. It is more correct to say that the whole is something else than the sum of its parts, because summing up is a meaningless procedure, whereas the whole-part relationship is meaningful." (Kurt Koffka, 1935: New York: Harcourt-Brace. p 176) [emphasis added]
On that view, "more than" does not mean that the whole is "greater" than the sum of its parts but that it is more than merely the sum of its parts.
The remarks of an unidentified poster on a different forum make this point: "One frequently finds Gestalt theory characterized by the notion that a Gestalt or whole is more than the sum of its parts. But in fact Gestalt theory did not make such a claim. Rather, Gestalt theory maintains, there are experienced objects and relationships that are fundamentally different from mere collections of sensations, parts, or pieces, or ‘and-sums‘, as Max Wertheimer called them. So what Gestalt theory actually says about this relationship is that a Gestalt is a whole which is different from the sum of its parts."

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts The language of the law is logic and experience [word of the day] The Word of the Day for September 24 is: Volume I: History of the Talmud: Chapter VIII: Islam and Its Influence on the Talmud Volume I: History of the Talmud: Chapter XIX: Exilarchs, Talmud at the Stake and Its Development at the Present Time The Economist | Life is a cup of tea The order of tags listing is not important What is the Work of Dogs in this Country 70% of the Software You Build is Wasted (Part... the Founding Father of IS Discipline: Gordon Davis Why Cloud Computing is the Future of Mobile Looking Around the Whole Online World Distance learning must be more than employing the latest technology in place of good teachers The language of the law is logic and experience (Part II) What is the major obstacle to the progress of China-India Relations ? what is the sfl where is the love? Tender is the night Life is the coffee The power of the podcast The color of the night The Colors of the Rainbow The Awesomeness of the Thundercats The History of the Cars