I just read an article in which somebody defended technology architecture A over architecture B because A was the simpler solution, and said that occam's razor states that we should always choose the simplest solution. NO IT DOESNT, YOU IDIOT (i almost swore there but i held back...medication is working!). Attention all of you who failed freshman philosophy but like to sound smart. There are a lot of you on the in'nahnet. I got a B- in freshman philosophy, but that's ok, because I'm no genius and don't care to sound so smart....i'm funny, and funny will always get you out of a meeting in better shape than smart; doesn't go over so well with the Nobel committee, but I don't have anyplace to put awards anyway. ok, where were we.....oh yes... Occam's Razor does NOT state that "the simplest solution is the best solution", and, moreover, this is an invalid interpretation of occam's razor. Rather, the razor merely states that "plurality should not be posited without necessity." (actually, it says it in latin, but fortunately, somebody translated it for us years ago). You could MAYBE slice this to say "don't extend an explanation for something beyond what sufficiently explains it" or "simpler but sufficient explanations are preferred", but it does not mean the simplest solution is the best solution. Thank you.
COOL SIDE NOTE: William of Occam was excommunicated by Pope John 22 (hate roman numerals). William responded with a paper demonstrating that the Pope was a heretic. is william a dude or what? From now on, when somebody does something mean to me, i'm going to write a paper demonstrating they are a heretic.
Posted by Dick at November 24, 2003 04:16 PM | TrackBack