Friday, June 3, 2011

Lex Parsimoniae

Lex Parsimoniae, better known as Occam's Razor, is the protocol that states that of two theories, being equal in all other respects, the most plausible is the simplest (requires the least complex explanation in order to make it work). It does not simply assert that the simplest explanation is the correct one, they both must accurately provide an answer for the question in which they attempt to answer. It merely holds that until the empirical evidence and explanations for a more complex theory are in place, it is more pragmatic to lean towards the more simple theory. This is used at the rule of thumb in the scientific community to this day, and has been used in order to develop complex theories like the Helio-centric model of the solar system and Einstein's General Reltivity. Occam's Razor, however, is a heuristic principle, not a principle of logic.

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58 comments:

  1. XenotothJune 3, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Still, even if it is a heuristic, it is a damn good one. Helps keep things in science from getting too fanciful. :P

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  2. DaveJune 3, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    It seems to me that the least complex explanation should not be used as the rule of thumb. You might miss out on something pretty important.

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  3. RallyeJune 3, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    Equal in all other respects!

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  4. MalkavianJune 3, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Damn, i never stop to think what would happen if 2 theories are alike... interesting.

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  5. AnonymousJune 3, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Less is more

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  6. edJune 3, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    cant argue with this method if it works

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  7. HOODPHENOMENOMJune 3, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    My brain is about to explode.

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  8. iceyJune 3, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    what Xenototh said

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  9. mindlessfrkJune 3, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    Wait, but... I did not get it.

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  10. randomerJune 3, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    Nothing wrong with taking the easy way out if it works.

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  11. ThorfanJune 3, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    Yea, I learned about this in my life science class.

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  12. MagixxJune 3, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    this is what I am talking about

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  13. AdaJune 3, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    I like to use it for any pseudoscientific arguments people like to make. Especially if they claim to be psychic.

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  14. AnonymousJune 3, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    There's a song named Occam's Razor by Porcupine Tree! This is where they got the name from!

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  15. AnonymousJune 3, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    I can't wait till I'm able to use this thinking in life

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  16. AnonymousJune 4, 2011 at 1:53 AM

    dat eye!! mesmerizing.

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  17. evldmnJune 4, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    Theories are just theories, practice is what we're living on.

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  18. lets go get lostJune 4, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    It's a good rule. It helped me end many pointless conversations about theoretical stuff.

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  19. InfoTubeJune 4, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Great!

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  20. HiFiJune 4, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Occam's Razor: If you can't beat'em, join'em!

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  21. VersionDoubleJune 4, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    interesting read, will think this over not sure i fully understand it!

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  22. Bunny HillJune 4, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    I was familiar with the occam's razor, nice reminder.

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  23. AnonymousJune 4, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    If it works, use it.

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  24. ChazWellingtonJune 4, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    a theory that says the simpler one is right? thats my kind of science

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  25. Astronomy PirateJune 4, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    It's the easiest way to cut yourself.

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  26. supearmyJune 4, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    Well I learned my interesting fact for the day, awesome picture too!

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  27. 123June 4, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    that confusededededed me

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  28. LiquorKingJune 5, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    didn't know of its Latin name! The principle is understandable - if both theories are tangible, it's more sensible to use the one which utilizes fewer new assumptions

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  29. JayPowerJune 5, 2011 at 4:59 AM

    This is science!! ;D

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  30. ScrewsAndFeathersJune 5, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    When I look through my Bio-Organics handbook, I don't see them applying this razor thingy as much as I'd want them too :P.

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  31. CGburstJune 5, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    i bet there is a universum inside that eye.

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  32. animestanJune 5, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    What what theory? I need to read through that again.

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  33. AbandonedJune 5, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    i am confused.. like fuck D:

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  34. AnonymousJune 5, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    I wish I was smart enough to understand this

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  35. sp3nnyJune 5, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    that's deep man

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  36. JbloggerJune 5, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    great post

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  37. MakelJune 5, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    It's a good rule of thumb.

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  38. Come At Me BroJune 5, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    This is great!

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  39. AnonymousJune 5, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Interesting post, it really opened up my eyes!

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  40. NorthernLadJune 5, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    It's amazing how many people don't understand, or even misuse, Occam's Razor.

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  41. MarkJune 5, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    great post i knew of it but i never really heard of its name.

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  42. Doc_WafflesJune 5, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    This is some great science.

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  43. Tommy.-June 5, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    uhhh there's way beyond my english level of comprehension, i gotta study more >.<

    ---
    btw, you should totally read the hagakure, This might sound cliche, but it changed my life, it does everyday!

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  44. UnknownJune 5, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Interesting, i'll search more.

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  45. VersionDoubleJune 5, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    eagerly looking forward to another post by you btw!

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  46. AnonymousJune 5, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    The simplicity of beauty.

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  47. JackJune 5, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    lolwut?

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  48. KellyJune 5, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Sounds good to me. Interesting post. It kept me reading. That much is for sure.

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  49. Kicking RocksJune 5, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    this sounds as interesting as Schroedinger's cat

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  50. AustinJune 5, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Mind = blown.

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  51. ZanderJune 5, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Good story, friend! Please VIEW my newest blogs :)

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  52. SeanJune 5, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Interesting!

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  53. KamatacciJune 5, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    I don't believe this, but that is an awesome name

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  54. Quick ReadsJune 6, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    Nice! I didn't knew this one :O thanks a lot really, it's always useful to learn about these definitions. Take care :)

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  55. JarfJune 6, 2011 at 3:10 AM

    It's a good rule to follow but it's not necessarily always the case.

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  56. AnonymousJune 6, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    I didn't get it, I'll try one more time, and then I'll ask my teacher :) Sounds very interesting, I want to understand

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  57. AnonymousJune 6, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    That information was nice.

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  58. IntramanJune 6, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    interesting; i had never heard that latin name for ockham's razor

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