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Good afternoon, readers of my blog! Today we will consider the methodological principle of Occam’s razor, its definition and features of effective application in practice in various industries.
In its brief formulation, it means the absence of the need to multiply entities (existing) without extreme need.
The synonymous name comes down to the principle of thrift, and also the absence of the need to do something based on more actions and the use of multiple variables, etc. At the same time, this provision is not an axiom or a strict rule, i.e. does not prohibit the use of more complex solutions, but only recommends finding simple and low-cost methods.
Definition of term
The principle of Occam’s razor is a modern scientific position that, with all equal conditions for various explanations or evidence of a phenomenon, their logical harmony and effectiveness, the simplest of them should be chosen.
In the context of new scientific knowledge, the formulation can be reduced to rejecting attempts to introduce new laws and parameters that explain phenomena, if at the moment there are already old paradigms that fully substantiate it.
An important point, which is often neglected in the formulation of this principle, is that the choice of the simplest solution is expedient only if it fully explains the phenomenon. In a situation where a more complex scheme or options for formulating what is happening are more accurate, taking into account all the maximum parameters and errors, they should be preferred.
According to the rule of Occam’s razor, one should not strive for simplicity for the sake of simplicity, but only reduce the cost of mental activity while obtaining the same results.
The very name «razor» is a philosophical category, a tool of mental activity that helps to discard implausible, uninformative or unlikely, as well as complex explanations. This is a kind of method aimed at finding the true essence, without the husks and complications that can lead away from the main thing.
By analogy with the way a shaving tool removes excess to show a true human face, the same name was given to the methodological principle, i.e. a mental tool for shaving off unnecessary essence that distorts the real idea.
Application in various practical fields
Occam’s razor is not a purely theoretical category, it is used in many practical areas. All sciences, in which there are studies and experiments, derive the laws of existence of certain concepts, use this method for structuring and optimal explanation.
Main practical applications:
Philosophy
In this direction, the understanding of the principle was expanded by Wilhelm Leibniz, who introduced it not only into practical research, but also supplemented it with a logical chain. Based on the assumption of the existence of a phenomenon (object) or process (relations between objects, people, events), facts are put forward that confirm this existence.
After undeniable facts have been found, they look for consistent evidence or other information that explains the whole process. In a situation where the explanations found are rather complex or multidimensional, they are analyzed for the presence of grounds for applying Occam’s razor.
In a situation where it is possible to simplify the explanation, the most understandable and requiring the minimum number of variables is chosen. If simplification is impossible, then only in that case will complex patterns be the most correct. In philosophical science, the principle helps to make simple definitions, choose clear explanations, and not invent something that already exists.
Economy
In this context, the principle of Occam’s razor reflects the content of thrift in relation to available resources (environmental, material, energy, economic, biological, and others). In modern society, propaganda of the use of this method, as fundamental in the economy and consumption, is only now beginning, both at the state and individual levels.
The maximum application of the principle of cutting off superfluous and superfluous in an economic way helps to avoid environmental disasters, excess production, which requires the subsequent disposal of goods.
Business
In this context, Occam’s principle implies a style of doing business, negotiations and a strategy for building a choice of decisions. Regarding the decision-making and the choice of strategy, it is recommended to dwell on those that are not confused, where the prospects, difficulties and ways of progress are clearly visible.
When interacting with partners and consumers, the Occam method recommends using the simplest and most understandable arguments as the most convincing. The more confusing the explanation of what is the movement strategy, what are the priorities, the more difficult it is for the entrepreneur himself to navigate and attract others.
Medicine
The variety of diseases, their subtypes, degrees of deviation and features of the course at different ages is reduced to the fact that the classification becomes rather confusing. Occam’s principle allows us to simplify this diversity and provide an easier choice of solutions in extreme conditions (with a minimum amount of time, in the conditions of the need to determine where to send a person next, etc.).
So, it is proposed to initially divide all possible human diseases into two main large groups. The first includes poisoning of any nature, i.e. intoxication of the body with decay products or vital activity of harmful organisms (infectious and viral, allergic and helminthic). And the second is a violation of the functions of the body or injury. This includes fractures, soft tissue injuries, blood clots, violation of the integrity of the mucous membranes, etc.
Conclusion
The principle of Occam’s razor can be used not only in scientific fields, but also for decision making in a person’s personal life, to explain the daily issues that people face in a domestic context.
This theory can be used as the basis of a life concept, daily thinking, since quite a few disorders (both behavioral and emotional spheres) arise as a result of a significant complication of an existing situation by a person.
Therefore, be logical and economical in spending not only money, but also effort and time.
Finally, we recommend reading an article about the method of system analysis.
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