Occam's Razor
Occam's Razor is a heuristic principle that suggests when faced with competing hypotheses, the simplest explanation is often the best. Attributed to the 14th-century Franciscan friar William of Ockham, this concept emphasizes that simplicity should guide problem-solving across various disciplines, including science, mathematics, and even criminal investigations. The principle has historical roots, with earlier mentions by philosophers like Aristotle, who believed that nature tends to operate with minimal means. In scientific contexts, Occam's Razor has been employed to evaluate theories, such as preferring Einstein's theory of relativity over more complex alternatives like Lorentz's theory.
While it serves as a valuable tool for developing theoretical models, Occam's Razor is not infallible; future data may challenge initial conclusions drawn from simpler explanations. Notably, some fields, including computer programming, have adopted the principle to streamline processes. However, it is important to recognize that simplicity does not equate to truth, and the principle should be used cautiously, allowing for alternative explanations. Overall, Occam's Razor provides a conservative approach to reasoning, emphasizing the need for clarity while remaining open to complexity when necessary.
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Occam's Razor
The principle of referred to as Occam’s razor states that when given the choice between a complex solution and a simple solution, the simple solution is usually the correct one. Problem solving requires an organized method of thinking that streamlines the process and allows the individual to come to a conclusion quickly and confidently. For centuries people have used varying means to quickly and reliably arrive at the correct conclusion in a problem, but the method that has had the greatest longevity is the Law of Parsimony, or Occam’s razor. The concept has been employed in many different disciplines, such as math, science, and criminal investigations.
Brief History
Occam’s razor is a simplistic problem-solving strategy first attributed to an English Franciscan friar and logician named William of Ockham, in the late thirteenth or fourteenth century. The principle states that the simplest answer is often the correct one, and new phenomena should be explained by old phenomena. Ockham was considered the greatest proponent of nominalism, a medieval Scholastic philosophy, which focused on the idea that only individual objects had real existence. Ockham’s principle was not immediately accepted as true; it did not appear in literature until 1852, in the written works of Sir William Hamilton. A former version of this principle was put forth by the Greek philosopher, Aristotle. Aristotle stated that the "more perfect nature is, the fewer means it requires for its operation."
Before the twentieth century, the theological concept that simplicity was regarded over complexity was the most popular. A contemporary of Ockham, Thomas Aquinas, stated that, "If a thing can be done adequately by means of one, it is superfluous to do it by means of several; for we observe that nature does not employ two instruments if one suffices."
Scientists were quick to use Occam’s razor, or modify it according to their understanding. Sir Isaac Newton stated that "We are to admit no more causes of natural things than such as are both true and sufficient to explain their appearances." However, it is simpler to say, "When you have two competing theories that make exactly the same predictions, the simpler one is the better."
Of all fields that use logic to solve problems, science has made use of Occam’s razor more than most. Einstein’s theory of special relativity is an example of accepting a simpler theory over a more complicated one, such as Lorentz’s theory that a ruler contracts and clocks slow down when in motion through the ether. Though difficult to tell, Lorentz’s theory was attempting to explain space-time, as was Einstein’s theory of special relativity, but ether could not be proven in Lorentz’s equations and Einstein’s simpler explanation suffices. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle is another example in physics that reduces a complex idea into a simpler one.
Overview
Occam’s razor is used heuristically (as a device to guide) to help scientists devise theoretical models, using the scientific method. Theories such as Einstein’s theory of special relativity, Pierre Louis Maupertuis’s principle of least action, and the quantum mechanics of Max Plank, employed the concept of Occam’s razor. In chemistry, Occam’s razor is used heuristically to develop a model of a reaction mechanism. Though it is useful to select the simplest concept for a particular model, it is not always the appropriate principle when attempting to select among established models on the same concept. Applying the scientific method with Occam’s razor is not mistake-proof. This is because data that is available at the time of the theory’s formulation might be inferior to data that is obtained in the future. Hence, it is more appropriate to state that Occam’s razor is pertinent to developing a theory with the understanding that future data might render the conclusion void.
When scientists employ Occam’s razor, it is usually only in a specific context of problem solving. What may make sense in one context of problem solving, might not make sense in another context. At best, the principle is a conservative means of arriving at the most likely conclusion. However, some problems do require a more complex solution, so the use of Occam’s razor can be used inductively during the problem solving process until the solution is obtained.
The idea of Occam’s razor has also been applied in computer programming. In 1983, David May created a computer programming language called Occam. The intent in developing the program was to help programmers have the simplest route to create a command in a program, and to keep the process simple.
Perhaps without realizing it, skeptics also use Occam’s razor, because they only believe in what they can sense or prove scientifically. However, knowing skeptics acknowledge that Occam’s razor should only be used as a filter when considering a variety of explanations for an event or phenomenon. These individuals recognize that information can surface later which might prove their original conclusion incorrect.
One disadvantage to only using Occam’s razor to solve problems is that simplicity does not always equal truth. The principle is not supported by physics or mathematics. This fallacy of the principle can be seen when considering the argument between science and creationism. There are some creationists who believe that their ideology about creation is correct and supported by Occam’s razor. To them, a Supreme Being that created the universe is far simpler to understand than the Big Bang theory. In truth, neither ideology has been proven indisputably.
Hence, the best approach to problem solving appears to be an employment of Occam’s razor in the incremental steps of model building, but room should be left for alternative explanations.
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