What is the understanding of function in holism? What is being described when we refer to the function of a tissue, organ, system, or even the organism itself?
It is important in the first place to distinguish between function and property. Both meanings can be implied in the use of the word function, for example, muscle, if we ask, “What is the function of muscle?” we can be asking a variety of questions. We could be asking “What does muscle do; in what way is it different in kind to other body tissues?” Or we could mean; “What purpose is fulfilled by the action of muscle tissue? What role does it play in the total body economy?” At another level we could be more specific and ask; “What does this particular muscle do in this particular circumstance (what is the function of supraspinatus during abduction of the arm)?
Two different concepts emerge from these examples.
- One relates to the property of muscle, in that it refers to particular characteristics of muscle physiology and the way that we observe it in all circumstances.
- The other is its particular function or purpose within the body.
If we were to say that, “the function of muscle is to contract; for the micro-filaments to slide over one another and the tissue to shorten”, that might or might not be true. If the muscle is acting isometrically or eccentrically, it will not shorten, it might even lengthen. Its function then will depend on its context. Its property may be to shorten, to resist lengthening, or put more simply, to present altered states of actin/myosin bonding, but its function has to be understood within the context of other events.
Key Distinction; the property of a system is its distinct tissue-specific characteristics. Its function is related to its goals and purposes and is dependent upon context and circumstances.
Stephen Tyreman 1992. Concepts for Osteopathic Health Care, Section 5. Holism. BSO course notes (extracts)