Comments on Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razorTypePad2022-05-11T05:00:26ZBrian Hineshttps://hinessight.blogs.com/church_of_the_churchless/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://hinessight.blogs.com/church_of_the_churchless/2022/05/life-is-simple-a-fascinating-book-about-occams-razor/comments/atom.xml/umami commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20282e1556a60200b2022-05-14T11:51:43Z2022-05-15T03:47:36ZumamiTim the Ripper!<p>Tim the Ripper!</p>Appreciative Reader commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20278807cd4d3200d2022-05-14T01:18:15Z2022-05-14T03:48:32ZAppreciative Reader LOL, nice, Tim! 😂<p>LOL, nice, Tim! 😂 </p>Tim Rimmer commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20278807cd297200d2022-05-14T00:02:18Z2022-05-14T00:02:24ZTim Rimmerhttps://profile.typepad.com/6p0240a4e5f554200bApparently this fell out of the pocket of a recently discovered old Monk’s habit: There was a fine scholar called...<p>Apparently this fell out of the pocket of a recently discovered old Monk’s habit:</p>
<p>There was a fine scholar called Ockham<br />
Who sifted the gold from the flotsam,<br />
But in the heat of debate,<br />
He got quite irate,<br />
And said to his foes he’d be choppin’ em!</p>Dungeness commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20278807cd12c200d2022-05-13T23:06:46Z2022-05-14T03:48:32ZDungeness"But he also cut off the Pope's balls with his razor." Yep, styptic pencils are useless there.<p>"But he also cut off the Pope's balls with his razor."</p>
<p>Yep, styptic pencils are useless there.</p>Appreciative Reader commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20278807cd068200d2022-05-13T22:45:31Z2022-05-14T03:48:32ZAppreciative Reader Chopping, I'd meant, not shopping. My autocorrect frowns on my choice of words. Can't blame it. Chopping off balls is...<p>Chopping, I'd meant, not shopping. </p>
<p>My autocorrect frowns on my choice of words. Can't blame it. Chopping off balls is brutal business.</p>Appreciative Reader commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20278807ccf93200d2022-05-13T22:20:26Z2022-05-14T03:48:32ZAppreciative Reader But he also cut off the Pope's balls with his razor. No wonder the Pope didn't like it. When that's...<p>But he also cut off the Pope's balls with his razor. No wonder the Pope didn't like it.</p>
<p>When that's all your balls amount to, BS reified, then you're liable to be wary of BS-shopping sharp implements.</p>
<p><br />
(With apologies for escalating your genteel nicks-and-cuts punning into more brutal slash-and-chop mode.)</p>umami commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20278807cc311200d2022-05-13T15:25:02Z2022-05-13T20:13:24Zumami"a bad Occam for all concerned." Whoa. Even subtler! I need a styptic pencil!<p>"a bad Occam for all concerned."<br />
Whoa. Even subtler! I need a styptic pencil!</p>Dungeness commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20282e155466f200b2022-05-13T14:04:25Z2022-05-13T20:13:24ZDungeness"barb-ers! Game, set, match, Dungeness." :) Ow! Another shaving nick! I fear lest Brian ban the blood sport... a bad...<p>"barb-ers! Game, set, match, Dungeness." :)</p>
<p>Ow! Another shaving nick! I fear lest Brian ban the blood sport... a<br />
bad Occam for all concerned.</p>umami commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20282e15543de200b2022-05-13T12:39:41Z2022-05-13T20:13:24Zumami"barbers." barb-ers! Game, set, match, Dungeness.<p>"barbers."<br />
barb-ers! Game, set, match, Dungeness.</p>Dungeness commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20282e155283d200b2022-05-12T21:30:01Z2022-05-12T23:44:50ZDungeness"He argued Pope John XXII was a heretic... A close shave." :) Luckily, he wielded his RAZOR to cut away...<p>"He argued Pope John XXII was a heretic... A close shave." :)</p>
<p> Luckily, he wielded his RAZOR to cut away at religious-political b.s. <br />
They say Occam's Shave has became a legend among "barbers".</p>umami commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20282e1551aae200b2022-05-12T15:30:36Z2022-05-12T23:44:51Zumami"His wrists?" He argued Pope John XXII was a heretic and should abdicate. Big trouble! He fled Avignon with other...<p>"His wrists?"</p>
<p>He argued Pope John XXII was a heretic and should abdicate. Big trouble! He fled Avignon with other Franciscans under cover of night, finding refuge in Munich, where he shifted from religion to politics.</p>
<p>A close shave.</p>Dungeness commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e202942faa459d200c2022-05-12T14:02:23Z2022-05-12T23:44:51ZDungeness"William of Occam was on the cutting edge." His wrists?<p>"William of Occam was on the cutting edge."</p>
<p>His wrists?</p>Appreciative Reader commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e202942faa4457200c2022-05-12T13:40:42Z2022-05-12T23:44:51ZAppreciative Reader"William of Occam was on the cutting edge." Heh, nice. Indeed.<p>"William of Occam was on the cutting edge."</p>
<p><br />
Heh, nice. Indeed.</p>umami commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20278807c8bb1200d2022-05-12T12:39:22Z2022-05-12T23:44:51ZumamiWilliam of Occam was on the cutting edge.<p>William of Occam was on the cutting edge.</p>david lane commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20278807c8107200d2022-05-12T05:06:37Z2022-05-12T23:44:51Zdavid laneI read this book a few weeks ago and enjoyed it tremendously. Very clear.<p>I read this book a few weeks ago and enjoyed it tremendously.</p>
<p>Very clear.</p>Dungeness commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e202942faa2f96200c2022-05-12T00:50:10Z2022-05-12T03:46:07ZDungeness@ Ron E : [ Whether this information has been arrived at through the Occam's razor theory I couldn't say,...<p>@ Ron E : [ Whether this information has been arrived at through the Occam's razor theory I couldn't say, but the perceived assumption from this is that we cannot know reality. All we know is only what we believe or what our brains decide is necessary for us to exist.]</p>
<p>IMO the mystic would counter that we can know the reality within by<br />
direct perception thus bypassing the brain's dualistic thought and<br />
imagery. In other words, reality is an indwelling unity, a oneness that<br />
transcends space-time. Consciousness is an innate expression of this<br />
reality and can know itself and all of what's hidden by the mind. It does <br />
it by "looking within"... an experiential path of devotion/mindfulness.</p>Rumsfeld the Mystic commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20282e1550058200b2022-05-12T00:31:02Z2022-05-12T03:46:07ZRumsfeld the Mystic “…there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is...<p>“…there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don't know we don't know.”</p>Ron E. commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e202942faa297e200c2022-05-11T21:03:21Z2022-05-12T03:46:07ZRon E.Research tell us that what we believe to be reality is actually a series of constructions that the brain creates...<p>Research tell us that what we believe to be reality is actually a series of constructions that the brain creates - and is purely to enable us to survive and navigate our environment. Research goes even further, suggesting that emotions, the mind, the self and free will are also brain constructions. </p>
<p>Whether this information has been arrived at through the Occam's razor theory I couldn't say, but the perceived assumption from this is that we cannot know reality. All we know is only what we believe or what our brains decide is necessary for us to exist. Even though the research shows that this is so, the way we interpret and sense our constructed realities is the reality we ultimately are presented with and have to live with; yet be at peace with both worlds – which are, in spite of our brain and its divisive thinking, are one. </p>
<p>This is reflected in Zen and what Dogen pointed to :- “Before one studies Zen, mountains are mountains and waters are waters; after a first glimpse into the truth of Zen, mountains are no longer mountains and waters are no longer waters; after enlightenment, mountains are once again mountains and waters once again waters.” </p>
<p>It is similarly expressed in the story of 'The Prodigals Return' :- The going away from the familiar, reveling in the new experience and the return to the familiar. <br />
</p>Dungeness commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20278807c6fe0200d2022-05-11T19:06:12Z2022-05-12T03:46:07ZDungeness@ Brian : [ Well, religious and mystical beliefs don't even improve at a linear rate. They never improve at...<p>@ Brian : [ Well, religious and mystical beliefs don't even improve at a linear rate. They never improve at all, at least not in regard to explaining the nature of reality.]</p>
<p>There's some sleight-of-hand though in the use of waffle words such as <br />
"improve'' and "reality". Their scope is limited to the material, phenomen-<br />
ological universe, whereas, mysticism at least, purports to look behind <br />
the curtain of consciousness to answer questions like 'who am i', 'why <br />
did I come here', 'is there a God', 'what happens at death'.</p>
<p>If the scope of reality is narrowed to outward, observable phenomena <br />
only, you could reductively assert mystical beliefs don't explain reality at <br />
all. You could lay a broad indictment of 'no demonstrable evidence' for <br />
any mystic claim. It'd be a valid objection. But, mystics assert there is <br />
demonstrable evidence of reality beyond mere belief. Following a path <br />
of mindfulness and devotion, you can experience the evidence within <br />
one's consciousness. Age-old questions can be answered and you <br />
improve understanding of reality exponentially.</p>Roger commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20278807c6bdf200d2022-05-11T17:14:32Z2022-05-12T03:46:07ZRoger https://mail.google.comThe story of our lives is driven by our attachment to one assumption after another. The human mind is the...<p>The story of our lives is driven by our attachment to one assumption after another. </p>
<p>The human mind is the on-going story teller in the flow of now-ness. <br />
All sensory data input is processed by the human brain and becomes our conditioned perception of what is happening experientially. <br />
However, because the experience is conditioned, we assume that we are experiencing things (physical, emotional, psychological, or any combination thereof) as they are, but in fact we are experiencing things (as defined) as we believe them to be. <br />
Subconsciously, because of our conditioning, we assume things (as defined) are permanent and substantial in or of themselves. <br />
Another flawed assumption, that we cling to, is the idea that we can know the motivational intent behind what others think, say and do, and as a result, we assume that our unhelpful reaction to that assumption is appropriate. </p>
<p>Once it is realized that conditioned human perception is assumptive by nature, the attachment to being right begins to fade.<br />
</p>Ron E. commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20282e154f3d0200b2022-05-11T16:21:18Z2022-05-12T03:46:07ZRon E.What I appreciate about Occam's razor theory is that it states the simplest theory is often the best explanation —...<p>What I appreciate about Occam's razor theory is that it states the simplest theory is often the best explanation — that is, the solution that requires the fewest assumptions. Notwithstanding the scientific inquiry, the principle of the solution with the least assumptions is perhaps something that affects my own life. For example, a car drives too close behind; either the driver is not aware of the distance or the driver is trying to annoy me. There are numerous other day-to-day instances that are always occurring which invite the ego grow in satisfaction – or to cause distress.</p>
<p>Such assumptions possibly serve to keep us in a state of irritation or either, always looking for some personal slight – or even some supernatural explanation or to justify a particular belief. Often the premiss is not obvious owing to the amount of investment in the assumption. </p>
<p>As far as I am concerned the more science discovers about the universe – and ourselves – the more wondrous and grandiose life becomes. It is a joy to discover things for ourselves, such as my layman's journey into geology where the world opened up into the wonder of a huge time-scale and immensity of natural forces sculpturing the land.</p>
<p>Again, as far as I am concerned, religion was no help at all in revealing the wonders of life. It no doubt has a place for those who rely on faith and belief in a God and also in giving hope and help in times of suffering. But for me, understanding and being a part of the natural processes of life is more than enough. </p>Spence Tepper commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e20278807c61e5200d2022-05-11T14:09:24Z2022-05-12T03:46:07ZSpence TepperIf we use Occam's razor to discipline our own thinking, analysis and choices of what to test next, it has...<p>If we use Occam's razor to discipline our own thinking, analysis and choices of what to test next, it has utility.</p>
<p>If we use Occam's razor to dismiss choices without any intention to test, we misuse it and we err.</p>
<p>If we use faith and belief in God to inspire us to look deeper and more open-Mindedly towards those we do not understand, accepting that our knowledge is incomplete, then that faith in a higher knowledge keeps us open minded, so that we learn to Appreciative the things we do not yet understand.</p>
<p>If we use the culture bound laws of religion to pass judgements on anyone, then, of course, the door to open-minded learning, understanding and appreciation of all things new and different within ourselves and around us is closed to us. The very wealth of faith and spirituality is closed because of religion, misunderstood and misused.<br />
</p>Spence Tepper commented on 'Life is Simple, a fascinating book about Occam's razor'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e202942faa19b3200c2022-05-11T13:54:50Z2022-05-12T03:46:07ZSpence TepperThe problem with Occam's Razor is in its use. The real world is very complex. Far more complex, science tells...<p>The problem with Occam's Razor is in its use.</p>
<p>The real world is very complex. Far more complex, science tells us, than all the scientific knowledge we currently have. </p>
<p>But when it comes to scientific study, we need to control and Isolate variables so that we can tease out the real causes.</p>
<p>When there are two possibilities to test, go with the simplest one first. The easiest to test and disprove.</p>
<p>If it is disproven, then go on to the next.</p>
<p>Because if the more complex hypothesis may be confounded by the first, and cannot be tested separately, then testing the first is in fact a part of the control necessary to test the second.</p>
<p>In context, it has utlity.</p>
<p>But taken out of context, as some Atheists have done, as a means of explaining the world, Occam's Razor is entirely unscientific and is disproven by science all the time.</p>
<p>Now as to religion. These are sources of inspiration. If the awe of the Creator humbles us, we become better, more open-minded observers, better scientists. And religion has utility to our growing understanding.</p>
<p>But, like Occam's Razor, if religion is used to explain the world, it is hopelessly wrong and disproven daily by science.</p>
<p>Everything in its proper sphere. </p>