3 ms·
This doesn't just apply to physics. All scientists should strive for parsimony. In other words Occam's Razor: "It is futile to do with more things that which
by montalbano 7y ago
This doesn't just apply to physics.
All scientists should strive for parsimony.
In other words Occam's Razor: "It is futile to do with more things that which can be done with fewer", where things in scientific theories can be considered assumptions.
Parsimony, along with falsifiability, are the two most important features of any reasonable scientific theory.
We need to teach more philosphy of science at all levels of science education. I was quite surprised to read that a physics post-doc would openly seek to complicate their models just for the sake of appearance.
- TheOtherHobbes 7y agoOccam's razor only applies if your model actually solves the problem it claims to solve. Plenty of beautiful, elegant, parsimonious, wonderful, understated, aesthetically pleasing models in physics turned out to be complete bunk when confronted with real data.
- montalbano 7y agoAgreed, that's why i mention falsifiability along with parsimony.
- perl4ever 7y agoBode's law vs...what exactly do we believe now explains the positions of the planets?