Why do we try to come up with simple answers for complicated things?

Answer 1

People work with themes. The best example is political thought; we lump solutions into liberal or conservative, pro-choice or pro-life, pro-business or pro-worker to make things easier. Some of the simplicity is just laziness, but some purpose is served by lumping similar problems with similar solutions.
Engineers talk about how one fellow was sent to design an airplane and came back with a paper clip. Of course, his buddy did just the opposite. It just how we are wired.
My training as a systems analyst has taught me that good labeling provides efficiency. Pile 'A' and Pile 'B' is never as good giving items meaningful names. North and South or East and West, by example, remind you not only of direction but let you visualize what is in Pile 'A' and Pile 'B'.

Answer 2

Sometimes it's in an effort to make them seem less complicated, and therefore more manageable.

But more often than not, we are guilty of taking a simple concept and making it unbelieveably complicated and hard to comprehend--so much so that it can be interpreted in a multitude of ways--sometimes in direct contrast to the original intent.
Take our laws... Thousands and thousands of pages of legalese on the should be reduced down to the simple commandments of "Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou shalt not kill," etc...

Answer 3

It seems to me that there are two reasons;

First, the simple answer is more likely to be correct than a complex answer. Universe tends to prefer simple mechanisms ... they are easier to create, easier to fix, and require fewer moving part that might break down. This holds for many types of living systems ... the dedicated predator is more efficient than the omnivore at eliminating sickly prey.

Second, we humans tend to prefer the simple answer over the complex one because all too many times we are either unable to grasp the complex answer, or are too lazy to want to think that much. We've all seen such 'simple' answers to complex situations ... alcoholics who continue to drive despite 'knowing' that it is exceedingly dangerous to do so and their inability to implement the 'simple' solution of not drinking. {Btw, the five year 'cure' rate for alcoholics is around 30% no matter what the program being studied is.}


Now, did I oversimplify this response??

Yes, of course. It is Sunday morning here and my brain isn't working too well yet because the coffee hasn't really set in yet.

;-) [wink]

Answer 4

heh, human nature. it extremely is it. it extremely is in our nature to simplify issues. we expect of if we try this they are going to easily replace into common even regardless of the undeniable fact that it does not circulate that replaced into. the comparable element is with exaggerating. human beings additionally make issues look extra complicated than they are certainly in basic terms so as that they could sense sorry for them self's. human nature is a tricky element. from time to time to an exceedingly complicated question(or so it kind of feels) there's a incredibly common answer. some human beings do it in basic terms because of the fact they're lazy, there are all styles of motives yet once you prefer a answer you are able to place self belief in than seem for it your self. it is the ideal way. it is as common and as complicated as that, human nature.

Answer 5

complicate things can b resolved by answering simply.

Answer 6

Cos they wouldnt be complicfated if we found them simple!!!