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Occham's Razor
Name: Larry D.
Status: other
Age: 50s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2002
Question:
I am interested in the history of "Achem's Razor", as
well as to whom it is attributed. It supposedly refers to scientific
investigation. 'All things being equal, when you have eliminated all
other possibilities, what ever is left must be the truth.'
Replies:
I think it is Occham's razor..it is more accurately referring to the
simplest solution is more likely when all other things are equal.
Peter Faletra Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Science Education
Office of Science
Department of Energy
"Occam's razor" is attributed to a monk (William of Ockham, ca.
1285-1349), note different spellings. The original Latin translates loosely:
"One should not increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities
required to explain anything." Modern versions go like: " The simpler the
explanation, the better." or
"Do not make more hypotheses than necessary to explain something."
Do a web search on the topic: "Occam's razor" on www.google.com and you
will find sites that give the history and its applications (and
misapplications).
Vince Calder
Umm, no. The quote you have is probably from the fictional character Sherlock Holmes.
Occam's Razor is a sort of credibility test, attributed to William of Occam,
that holds one should prefer the simplest reasonable explanation for a phenomenon.
For example, if you see size-9 footprints, you might guess they are from a human
with size-9 feet, while someone who does not know about Occam's razor might suppose
they are from a dwarf Bigfoot. In medicine, the usual statement is "if
you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras".
Unknown
Hi Larry!
You are probably you are referring to "Occams razor" or "Ockhamrazor".
William of Occam was a 14th century logician Franciscan friar
(1285-1349).The principle that took his name was not stated
by him, and in fact was used before him, but since Occam mentioned it
very frequently and employed so sharply it became to be called "Occam
razor".
Others names used for this principle are "Law of Economy" and "Law of
Parsimony", that simply means "that entities are not to be multiplied
beyond necessity" or "the simpler the explanation, the better", or still
"do not multiply hypotheses unnecessarily".
(The statement you mention can be considered some kind of corollary).
Occam use of what is also called "principle of unnecessary plurality
" can be exemplified when he cites Aristotle notion that "the more perfect a
nature is, the fewer means it requires for its operation".
The principle has also been used by atheists to reject the
need of a Creator G-d. in favor of natural evolution.
In Modern times many scientists adopted or reinvented Occans razor
statement. For example in Physics, it is used to eliminate metaphysical
concepts. The classical example is Einstein theory of special relativity
compared with Lorentz theory that rulers contract and clocks slow down
when in motion through what was called Ether.
Right Larry? i hope that somewhat answers your question...
If you need more explanations please ask again.
And thanks for asking NEWTON! Tell your friends about us!
Mabel
(Dr. Mabel Rodrigues)
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