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Law Of Parsimony for Dummies

noun


What does Law Of Parsimony really mean?

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Law of Parsimony:

Hey there! I'm here to help you understand what the "Law of Parsimony" means. So, let's dive right in!

Imagine you have two different explanations for something, like why your toy car won't start. One explanation might be that the battery is dead, and the other explanation might be that an alien spaceship zapped it with a ray gun. Which one do you think is more likely, or simpler, to be true?

The Law of Parsimony, also known as Occam's Razor, tells us that the simplest explanation is usually the right one. It's like when you're playing hide-and-seek, and you start by looking in the most obvious places first. You don't immediately start searching in the most complicated or unlikely spots, do you?

So, when we apply the Law of Parsimony to science and reasoning, we choose the explanation that requires the fewest assumptions or extra steps. It's all about keeping things simple and avoiding unnecessary complications. Scientists use this law to find the most straightforward and plausible explanations for things.

Another way to think about it is like a puzzle. When you're putting together a puzzle, you try to fit the pieces together in the simplest way possible. You wouldn't force a piece where it doesn't belong or invent a whole new piece to complete the picture, right? That would be overly complicated and probably wouldn't work.

Now, let me break down the "Law of Parsimony" into a definition or two, just to make sure you got it:

The "Law of Parsimony" states that when we have multiple explanations for something, the simplest and most straightforward explanation is usually the correct one. It's like choosing the most obvious answer in a game of "What's the Missing Puzzle Piece?" or looking for something in the most logical places during hide-and-seek.

So, remember, when trying to understand or explain something, it's often best to keep it simple and go with the explanation that has the fewest unnecessary assumptions or fancy explanations. Trust me, simplicity is powerful!

I hope that makes sense to you now. Feel free to ask me anything else about the "Law of Parsimony" or anything else you'd like to know!


Revised and Fact checked by Michael Miller on 2023-10-29 01:09:30

Law Of Parsimony In a sentece

Learn how to use Law Of Parsimony inside a sentece

  • When choosing between two possible explanations, the Law of Parsimony says that we should pick the simpler one. For example, if you find a broken vase on the floor, it is more likely that the family dog knocked it over rather than an invisible alien spaceship doing so.
  • If you have a math problem and two different equations can solve it, the Law of Parsimony tells us to use the shorter equation, as long as it gives us the correct answer.
  • Imagine you are trying to decide which route to take to school. The Law of Parsimony suggests you should choose the shortest and most direct path, rather than taking a longer and more complicated route.
  • If you are trying to understand the behavior of an animal, it is more reasonable to assume that the animal is acting out of hunger rather than assuming complex psychological motivations.
  • In a murder investigation, the Law of Parsimony would suggest that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one. So, if there is evidence pointing to a jealous ex-partner, it is more likely that they committed the crime rather than an elaborate conspiracy.

Law Of Parsimony Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Law Of Parsimony Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.