Occam's Razor

Wikipedia restates Occam’s Razor as requiring that the explanation of any phenomenon should require the fewest assumptions possible. Through many formulations the central tenet holds that the simplest explanation of a phenomenon is most likely to be the most accurate. From the ecclesiastical roots of Sir William of Occam’s writings and various proofs and disproofs of the existence of God the theory has spread to biology, physics, mathematics and other scientific inquiry including Leonardo’s formulation "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication". Or, in pop culture it is stated, "When you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras".

A readable blog using the concerpt is http://www.occams-razor.info/

Sophistry on the other hand is the use of confusing, illogical and/or insincere argument to make a point. Sophistry is perhaps the contrapositive of Occam’s Razor. Perhaps this table is not really flat because it is composed of wood molecules which are carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms all in frenetic motion, so how can a table be flat?

I find sophistry in public discourse where Occam’s Razor is preferable. Sophistry encompasses moral relativism, the concept that whether an action is right or wrong depends on who does it., as well as its fellow-traveler, the search for "root causes". Muslim apologists look for the "root causes" of September 11 where a simpler explanation is that they hate us and want to kill us.

The simplest explanation is not always the only or the correct explanation. All other things being equal, however, it is the most likely.