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Showing posts from July, 2016

The problem with simple

Ockam’s razor is intended to be a problem-solving principle based on the idea that among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions is likely best.  Franciscan friar William of Ockham lived at a time when it could hardly be said that there was wide acceptance that scientific methods and principles would enlighten the pursuit of knowledge; he lived 1287-1347.  In his world, if you didn't understand something, just attribute it to the wonder and awe of God.  Pretty simple explanation when you didn't understand something or it was "too complex." In the last six months I have seen a number of articles in our profession posted to claim that if a writer or thinker couldn’t explain something simply, the individual clearly didn’t understand his or her topic.  Thousands have clicked “like” to declarations that apply Ockam’s razor to issues or challenges would be ideal.  It seems that proponents of “simple means clarity,” and the lack of simple and clarity i