Occams Razor

[Yorick]

For those unfamiliar with the term I've posted this:

from http://www.wikipedia.com/wiki/Occams_razor Developed by William of Ockham, Occam's (alternatively Ockham's) Razor is often paraphrased as "Simple explanations are preferred to complex ones" and has become a basic principle of the Scientific method. It is important to note that Occam's Razor is a heuristic argument that does not necessarily give correct answers. Occam's Razor is a loose guide to the scientific hypothesis which is expected to contain the least possible number of unproven assumptions. For example, after a storm a tree is noticed to have fallen. Based on this evidence of "a storm" and "a fallen tree" a reasonable hypothesis would be "a lightning bolt has hit the tree"--a hypothesis which requires only one assumption--that it was, in fact, a lightning bolt (as opposed to a strong wind or an elephant) which knocked over the tree. The hypothesis that "the tree was knocked over by marauding 200 meter tall space aliens" requires several additional assumptions (concerning the very existence of aliens, their ability to travel interstellar distances and the alien biology that allows them to be 200 meters tall in terrestrial gravity) and is therefore inferior. Certainly more than one hypothesis can be entertained, and some of them might even be complex and require too many assumptions, but Occam's Razor is only a rule of thumb for quickly evaluating which hypotheses are likely to be fruitful; it is not a strict rule, nor an inevitable aspect of the scientific method. Occam's Razor is also misinterpreted or given to the idea that "perfection is simplicity". Albert Einstein had this in mind when he wrote that "Theories should be as simple as possible, but no simpler." Occam's razor has also been referred to as the "principle of parsimony" and the "principle of simplicity"; the common interpretation means something like "the simpler the explanation, the better" or "K.I.S.S." (keep it simple, stupid). Another proverb expressing the idea that is often heard in medical schools is "When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." In the philosophy of religion Occam's razor is sometimes used to refute arguments for the existence of God and defend the rationality of atheism.

I love the line "Occams razor is a rule of thumb...it is not a strict rule, nor an inevitable aspect of the scientific method."

When using it we should always be aware of that fact. Lightning is not the only reason trees fall down. The quickest way to staying in ignorance is to rely on knowledge one already has and make assumptions based on what they already know, instead of investigating the situation with an open mind for new information (checking the tree for termite tunnels for example).

[ 06-17-2002, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: Yorick ]

[Memnoch]

I guess I'm a simple person - I always took Occam's Razor to mean that "all things being equal, the simplest answer is the most correct one".

[Chewbacca]

My question, Yorick, is could you have made your point simpler? [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Yorick]

Originally posted by Chewbacca: My question, Yorick, is could you have made your point simpler? [img]smile.gif[/img]

Touche LOL!

[caleb]

Yorick-1 Dramnek-0