Why do we look for complex answers when the learned men of the past have found simplicity to be the key?

Question

"Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler." – Albert Einstein (1879–1955

"Our lives are frittered away by detail; simplify, simplify." – Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

"Simplicity means the achievement of maximum effect with minimum means." – Dr. Koichi Kawana, architect, designer of botanical gardens

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." – Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)

"If you can't describe it simply, you can't use it simply." – Anon

As excerpted from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplicity

Peace and Love

For those seeking a more in depth study.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/simplicity/

Answer 1

Wasn't it Lao-Tzu who said, "Without going out of my door, I can know the ways of earth. Without looking out of my window, I can understand the ways of heaven. The farther one travels, the less one knows." He also advised the seekers of wisdom to let brambles grow up in their gate. In other words, those seeking this distraction and that, complicate their lives, and do not find the simple truth that is all about them and within them right now. Reduce distraction. Live this moment attentively with kindness towards all beings. Live a simple life, one-pointed on the ever-present truth.

Answer 2

Greetings,
The bible puts everything in a real simple and easy format for those that wish to follow Jesus and obey God. The problem comes from the fact that men with different agendas(greed and power)try to corrupt what the scriptures relate and turn them into fallacies and imaginations to further their own goals. Then things get difficult as from what you might have found out from wisdom gained during your lifetime. Once a mistruth or falsehood has been declared then the person responsible cannot turn back and as the deception grows the more tripe that person must declare to fit into their corrupt practices. So additions and expansions of their goals leads to more and more baloney that if it wasn't written down somewhere then they would eventually be found out and lose the gains that they have so illegally gotten through their story of deception. I E Oral Roberts, Jim Baker I'm sure that a person could think of some others but just wanted to give a few that were found to be following the prqactice which has been described.

a work in progress

Answer 3

Actually General relativity IS simple ( Mass/Energy curves spacetime) , its really our mathematical descriptions of it which seem complicated to those who don't understand them.

I agree nature is and must be ulimately simple. This is why I am an atheist. The idea that an infinitely complex being is responsible for the origin of apparent complexity makes no sense and just leads to infinite regression.

Instead I believe nature is simple and based on necessary mathematical truth. What makes nature seem complex is that we see so little of it and that we don't understand it very well.

Answer 4

I agree that complexity is not the answer. Therefore not all seek it. Applying the common sense to achieving the highest level of spirituality is the wisdom one has to ascertain the meaning of what has been changed and why. That's called knowledge. It alleviates the complexity when narrowed down......peace & love ~p~

Answer 5

Unfortunately, the phillosophers, the simple thinkers, never stood a chance. Like now. Greed and Power are the names of the men who rule. Idiots is the name for those who follow their lead.

Answer 6

Lol Albert Einstein, read general relativity sometime

Answer 7

You're right. Simplicity seems to be a big secret! In art it's "more with less." Great question!

Answer 8

Looking for a simpler way of understanding something requires more than a "god did it' answer. otherwise we'd still be worshiping fire and volcanoes.
Tammi Dee

Answer 9

please note that all these "Learned" men came from the aristocracy. they can financially afford to be "Simplistic". i doubt they ever had to live day by day. for those of us that have to work, hopefully, there is an answer to the age old question "How can I ease my labors and live a better life?"

Answer 10

Simple is good.
Simple is easy to read.
Simple can be black and white.
Simple can be grey.

God loves you.