karene
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 Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 2:57 am Post subject: What is the most Simple Science Theory to describe Reality? |
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Metaphysics: What is the most Simple Science Theory for describing Reality?
  
Introduction to Simple Science & Occam's Razor
Occam's Razor (also Ockham's Razor or any of several other spellings), is a principle attributed to the 14th century English logician and Franciscan friar, William of Ockham that forms the basis of methodological reductionism, also called the principle of parsimony.
In its simplest form, Occam's Razor states that one should not make more assumptions than needed. When multiple explanations are available for a phenomenon, the simplest version is preferred. A charred tree on the ground could be caused by a landing alien ship or a lightning strike. According to Occam's Razor, the lightning strike is the preferred explanation as it requires the fewest assumptions.
The principle is most often expressed as Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem, or "Entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity", but this sentence was written by later authors and is not found in Ockham's surviving writings. William wrote, in Latin, Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate, which translates literally into English as "Plurality should not be posited without necessity".
Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) lived after Ockham's time and has a variant of Occam's razor. His variant short-circuits the need for sophistication by equating it to simplicity.
| Quote: | | 'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication'. (Leonardo da Vinci) |
Occam's Razor is now usually stated as follows:
Of two equivalent theories or explanations, all other things being equal, the simpler one is to be preferred.
As this is ambiguous, Isaac Newton's version may be better:
| Quote: | | We are to admit no more causes of natural things than such as are both true and sufficient to explain their appearances. (Sir Isaac Newton, Principia: The system of the world) |
Occam's Razor is known by several different names including the Principle of Parsimony, The Principle of Simplicity, and The Principle of Economy. The reason for these alternate names can be explained by the association of simplicity and parsimony with Occam's Razor. Prior to the 20th century it was believed that the metaphysical justification for Occam's Razor was simplicity. It was thought that nature was in some sense simple and that our theories about nature should reflect that simplicity. With such a metaphysical justification came the implication that Occam's Razor is a metaphysical principle. From the beginning of the 20th century, these views fell out of favor as scientists presented an increasingly complex world view. In response, philosophers turned away from metaphysical justifications for Occam's Razor to epistemological ones including inductive, pragmatic, likelihood and probabilistic justifications, which is where things stand today. Thus, Occam's Razor is currently conceived of as a methodological principle. Elliott Sober has expressed dissatisfaction with epistemological justifications for Occam's Razor. He thinks that there must be a metaphysical presupposition for Occam's Razor, but offers no possibilities (Sober, 1990).
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam's_Razor)
The Wave Structure of Matter as most Simple Science Theory for describing Reality
This is a very short answer to a very important and strangely neglected question. If you read more on the Wave Structure of Matter you can confirm these things for yourselves.
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Most-Simple-Scientific-Theory-Reality.htm (Also see main articles at top of page).
Upon consideration it is clear that Reality must be founded on One thing. (Both in terms of Ockham's razor, the simplest theory that explains the most things is best - and in terms of metaphysics where One thing is required to Cause and Connect the Many things we experience.)
And there is only ONE thing that is common to the many things, SPACE. (Both Matter and Mind are many things, we all commonly experience one common Space.)
So how can we explain Time, Matter, and Forces (Fields / Necessary Interconnection of Matter) from ONE thing Space. It is simple and obvious once known.
Space exists as a wave medium for Spherical Standing Waves that form matter. This Metaphysics of Space and (wave) Motion and the Wave Structure of Matter is explained in the articles at the top of page.
Truth and Reality are important (as is a simple sensible Science Theory to describe this Reality) - so please take the time to read on these beautiful and profound subjects about our own existence.
Sincerely,
Geoff Haselhurst
A few relevant quotes!
Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone. (Albert Einstein)
"Nature operates in the shortest way possible." (Aristotle)
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (Albert Einstein, attributed)
"In my opinion the theory here is the logically simplest relativistic field theory that is at all possible. But this does not mean that nature might not obey a more complex theory. More complex theories have frequently been proposed. . . In my view, such more complicated systems and their combinations should be considered only if there exist physical-empirical reasons to do so." (Albert Einstein)
(http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/occam.html)
(Gottfried Leibniz, 1670) It is a good thing to proceed in order and to establish propositions (principles). This is the way to gain ground and to progress with certainty. ... I hold that the mark of a genuine idea is that its possibility can be proved, either a priori by conceiving its cause or reason, or a posteriori when experience teaches us that it is a fact in nature.
... Reality cannot be found except in One single source, because of the interconnection of all things with one another. ... I do not conceive of any reality at all as without genuine unity. ... I maintain also that substances, whether material or immaterial, cannot be conceived in their bare essence without any activity, activity being of the essence of substance in general. |
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