Occam's Razor - rational principles explained

This is a video explaining Occams's Razor, which is a normative, rational pattern of thought. It also explains how this principle differs from Inference to the Best Explanation and some other similar principles. There is also an explanation of an individual's ontology. To illustrate all of this, several examples are used involving the germ theory of disease and plate tectonics. This video was originally developed for use in an introductory level philosophy course, Introduction to Ethics, but it can be used for any philosophy course.

[cw-on-yt]

Note: The most common _misuse_ of Occam's Razor is to compare two hypotheses, one of which _doesn't_ adequately explain the observed phenomena, and the other of which _does, _ and to select the first "explanation" over the latter because it's simpler. Simplicity _with equal or better explanatory power_ is the criterion. Looking for mere simplicity _alone_ leaves "nothing exists" as the best "explanation" imaginable!

[planetary-rendez-vous]

I just love how philosophy is talking about the nature of knowledge and this is relevant in every aspect of life.

[portlandgeek]

Thank you! All the conspiracy theories floating around the interwebs drove me here. Well, actually a very smart statistician who I've been talking to about these conspiracy theories and propaganda told me to look up Occam's Razor. I'm learning how to do my own research in determining what is true and what is false by searching for the facts myself. Thank you for your in-depth explanation of Occam's Razor. Very informative.

[dharmashekhar]

the best presentation on youtube on "occam's razor". from 0.20 to 6.00 minutes.
what clarity man !
many thanks.
you deserve a standing ovation !

This video is an absolute must for all PhD students

1. every human possess an ontology model deep inside his mind
2. formal education must help every man to digout-clarify his own ontology model
3. else... !
4. all expenditure on education in terms of money-time-efforts will go waste
5. as man becomes older, he must attempt to simplify his own ontology model as much as possible
6. he must document-publish it before he dies !
7. he must pass it on to the next generation as legacy.

[michaeleanthonyjr]

My favorite application of this principle is when discussing stories and fiction. Very often I might question why a character didn't make a decision within a story and very often people will try to rationalize it by using the context within the story and adding conjecture for things that the story does not explain. Meanwhile, I often conclude that a character simply did not make a decision because the writer had not thought of it.

Both methods of explaining things can work but I think it's often safest to assume that anything that can't be explained within a story using only what the story provides, is something that exists merely as an error in the writing.

[Chooibah]

3 minutes in and I feel this guy is critically under-subbed. Great delivery and presentation. Thanks for the video!

[GregoryWonderwheel]

The most impressive thing about Kaplan's videos is that he can write backwards on the glass.

[Pinza]

It's really refreshing to see the word 'fewer' used in this video. 👍

[asma.nooruddin]

Thank you. Movie 12 Angry Men (1957 and 1997) is the opposite of Occam's razor, it teaches us to do deeper thinking and extract as much evidence as possible, then make a decision (you can apply Occam's razor here). However, any new evidence is subject to change in our decision. This movie shows how to use our analytical abilities to avoid injustice or faulty conclusions. Most people fail to express their opinions for fear of ridicule or rejection. Many things may not be what they appear to be. I looked up the lessons of this movie on Google and it says this, "Theories of group process including: groupthink, group polarization, social loafing, social compensation and social facilitation are exemplified in the movie “Twelve Angry Men.” The impact of group process is potentially damaging and in the context of a jury must be mitigated to ensure fairness and adherence to values."

[WoefulMinion]

I enjoyed the explanation. I enjoyed even more how often he admitted he wasn't sure of something or questioned his examples. It takes intelligence to know what you don't know.

[waynecassels]

Please dont say, " you know" while explaining don't. I truly enjoy watching this gentleman.

[velimirtopolovacki]

If I had this type of teacher in high school to teach me a philosophy, I would understand it's principles much earlier in life.

[awol]

Fantastically clear explanations. I would take it that some things Occam's Razor dispenses with of course have to be brought back as evidence and understanding both increase.

[craigyoung]

Dude, you are so intense it’s humorous. . Your videos are amazing, educational and entertaining.

[mjf]

I deeply enjoy these videos.
they are informative, the host is friendly.
it's good vibes.

[gustavo_crivelli]

Excellent video! And I was really amazed at how easy you can write backwards, it's insane!

[CalebLeverett]

I came here because of the episode of House called Occam’s Razor. I think I’m agnostic because I applied Occam’s Razor to religion, without ever having heard of Occam’s Razor. Thanks for the explanation.

[elezatafovic]

A commentor referenced Occam's Razor in a Facebook post and since I never heard of such (which surprised me at my age) that I took to the internet to try to understand how this related to the details of the post. I am glad I found this video because it was WAY more informative than other definitions or videos on YouTube. Thank you! I really enjoy your presentation style and am interested in your other videos! Count me in as a new subscriber!

[taliesinechoes]

Thanks for the more detailed explanation. I originally heard the term in Carl Sagan's PBS series Cosmos and then again in the movie Contact. P. S. I used it in trying to figure out how you're writing backwards on a glass board. I initially thought you're either a genius who can see this in his head and transfer it to the board for us to be able to read it, or that you're really not left-handed and that you probably just inverted the video image. Because most people are right-handed I assumed the ladder. Yes?

[olorin]

Beautifully Thank you, Jeffrey Kaplan.