# Hierarchical reductionism > A proper form of reductionism that proceeds carefully through each level without skipping any, in contrast to Greedy reductionism or Precipice reductionism. A proper form of that proceeds carefully through each level without skipping any, in contrast to or . A term proposed by [Richard Dawkins](https://wiki.g15e.com/en/pages/Richard%20Dawkins.txt). (Where? ) ## Notes Criticisms of are less about pointing out a failure to carry out a reduction properly than about attempts to reduce things that fundamentally cannot be reduced, or a tendency to ignore cases where reduction inevitably loses something. Explaining that " is bad, but [hierarchical reductionism](https://wiki.g15e.com/en/pages/Hierarchical%20reductionism.txt) is fine" is not a proper defense against criticism of reductionism. --[AK](https://wiki.g15e.com/en/pages/AK.txt), 2024-08-25.