Seonglae ChoPrinciple of Parsimony
Given two models that represent the data equally well, the simpler one which contains small notion and assumption should be preferred. It is some kind of attitude. It does not tell us the theory is true or false
However, the reason why it has consistently been proven correct throughout scientific history is that for the rules of the universe to converge toward a Theory Of Everything, theories must develop and move in the simplest direction possible. In other words, it's an attitude that simpler things are closer to the truth.
If it occurs beyond prediction, interpretation should be limited to the minimum size area. (Occam's Razor, Hasty generalization)
Examples
- Geocentric vs Heliocentric Models and Epicycles
- In fact, the heliocentric model wasn't rejected because it lacked persuasiveness
- Copernicus assumed circular orbits, causing discrepancies between observations and predictions
- When Kepler introduced elliptical orbits, predictions became accurate
- This shows Occam's Razor isn't always the definitive answer
- The problem with epicycles wasn't just complexity, but that there was no logical reason for Venus to have additional orbits