In Chemistry , ''antagonism'' is a phenomenon where two or more agents in combination have an overall effect which is less than the sum of their individual effects. The word is most commonly used in this fashion in Biochemistry and Toxicology . Interference in the physiological action of a chemical substance by another having a similar structure. For instance, a Receptor Antagonist is an agent that reduces the response that a Ligand produces when it binds to a Receptor on a Cell . An example of this is the Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. The opposite of antagonism is Synergy .
In Philosophy , ''antagonism'' refers to a principle, force or factor that is an active resistance, opposition, or contentiousness. For instance, Capitalism and Socialism can be considered to be inherent antagonists. Some refer Agonism (Lyotard, 1975) as the opposite to.
