why do people give any credence to occam's razor?

Question

It's right as often as it is wrong.

Answer 1

When people use it as a "cop out" they are mis-using it.
Newtons description of the universe might be "simpler" that Einsteins or Quantum Mechanics but in situations where Newtons descriptions do not work the others do. You can only consider answers that fully satisfy evidence provided by the data in question when searching for the "simplest answer". It does not provides credence to overlooking evidence that calls a theory into question!

Answer 2

Albert Einstein "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."

Because E=MC^2 see how simple, imagine how infinitely complex this idea could be and if not for Occam's razor how far off we would be from ever having this idea.

Occam's razor: The principle states that the explanation of any phenomenon should make as few assumptions as possible, eliminating, or "shaving off," those that make no difference in the observable predictions of the explanatory hypothesis or theory

Answer 3

No... it is right FAR more than it is wrong. Allow me to demonstrate:

Any theory can, if you like, be made more complex. One means I like to use is to hypothesize the existance of an infinite number of invisible hyperdimensional hamsters that carry out that theory. Why is "I before E except after C"? The hamsters are doing it.

And that's just ONE way. You could, in fact, derive an INFINITE number of more complex versions of any theory that all derive down to the same basic one. Unless you accept Occam's Razor as valid, then you should probably spend as much time looking for hyperdimensional conspiracy hamsters (and squid, and elephants, and...) as you do for anything else.

But such complexifications are ridiculous. Overtly so. Anyone who wastes their time with them will be... well, wasting their time. Do you have a different explanation of why this would be so, OTHER than Occam's?

Answer 4

Damn good question. I think its part of the human condition to want easy answers to difficult questions. Thinking is difficult to do - which might explain the prevalence of so many idiots and ideologs in our world. Funny that this topic was just discussed on FX's tv show The Shield, one of the characters - a detective called 'Dutch' was discussing how Occam's could lead their department into a false conviction rather than examing the more difficult evidence at hand( in other words, detectives should do their job). And in their situation, the razor was indeed the wrong approach to take because the simple answer was caused by faulty evidence.

Answer 5

Because Occam's Razor makes sense. Do not posit any extra premises in an explanation than are necessary to the explanation. Occam's Razor is commonly misstated as "The simplest explanation is the right one."

Answer 6

When it comes to basic questions, I think it holds true. Also, it is a human need to want to be able to explain why things happen, so by using occam's razor you are justifing your answer and giving yourself a reason, even if it is wrong.

For the most part though, don't think zebras!

Answer 7

Occam's Razor is the preferred tool of those who believe that the universe is created by a single entity. In other words, the total complexity of the universe rests in one entity -- god. I believe that myself. But that does not make it true.

Answer 8

I agree that when people use it they are wrong as often as they are right. It is just a matter of finding the simplest explanation. Newtonian physics is much easier to explain than quantum or string theory.

I think people use it as a cop out frequently. Using it to argue for their easier solution as opposed to looking very deep into the problem.

Good question...

Answer 9

I would think it was self-explanatory. Generally the simple answer IS the right one. It is usually not necessary to invent things to explain the facts.

Answer 10

if we didnt
we would have all kinds of absurd extragant theories