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Article #1261Re: Simplicity and truth (was: Re: Science and Aesthetics)
From: Sarge Gerbode
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1969 22:59
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1969 22:59
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In article <20194@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> kube@cogsci.berkeley.edu.UUCP (Paul Kube) writes: >But a theory may make more assumptions >(even logically stronger ones) than another, and yet have each of its >assumptions play an explanatory role. Ockham's razor enjoins us to >disbelieve the first theory, other things being equal; and I'm still >wondering if there's an argument for it. > I think if one theory has greater explanatory power than another, the two theories don't satisfy the conditions for applying Occam's Razor (How do you spell that, anyhow?). The law (as I understand it -- I hope the same way Occam did) states that of two explanations, each of which fits all the available facts equally well, one should pick the simpler or more modest one. If one of the explanations doesn't explain all the facts as well (lacks equal explanatory power), then Occam's razor doesn't apply. -- "Absolute knowledge means never having to change your mind." Sarge Gerbode Institute for Research in Metapsychology 950 Guinda St. Palo Alto, CA 94301 UUCP: pyramid!thirdi!sarge
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<120@snark.UUCP> <86@thirdi.UUCP> <8707@ut-sally.UUCP> <20070@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> <8727@ut-sally.UUCP> <20194@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>Show Full Headers
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Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!mit-eddie!ll-xn!ames!lll-lcc!pyramid!thirdi!sarge From: sarge@thirdi.UUCP (Sarge Gerbode) Newsgroups: sci.philosophy.tech Subject: Re: Simplicity and truth (was: Re: Science and Aesthetics) Message-ID: <100@thirdi.UUCP> Date: Wed, 31-Dec-69 18:59:59 EDT Article-I.D.: thirdi.100 Posted: Wed Dec 31 18:59:59 1969 Date-Received: Tue, 25-Aug-87 01:48:20 EDT References: <120@snark.UUCP> <86@thirdi.UUCP> <8707@ut-sally.UUCP> <20070@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> <8727@ut-sally.UUCP> <20194@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> Reply-To: sarge@thirdi.UUCP (Sarge Gerbode) Organization: Institute for Research in Metapsychology Lines: 24 Keywords: simplicity elegance beauty truth ockham's razor Summary: Explanatory power counts as an "other thing".