Combining Philosophers

Ideas for 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury, Tim Maudlin and Alistair Mitchell

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2 ideas

2. Reason / B. Laws of Thought / 6. Ockham's Razor
If the universe is profligate, the Razor leads us astray [Maudlin]
     Full Idea: If the universe has been profligate, then Ockham's Razor will lead us astray.
     From: Tim Maudlin (The Metaphysics within Physics [2007], Intro)
     A reaction: That is, there may be a vast number of entities which exist beyond what seems to be 'necessary'.
The Razor rightly prefers one cause of multiple events to coincidences of causes [Maudlin]
     Full Idea: The Razor is good when it councils higher credence to explanations which posit a single cause to multiple events that occur in a striking pattern, over explanations involving coincidental multiple causes.
     From: Tim Maudlin (The Metaphysics within Physics [2007], 2.5)
     A reaction: This is in the context of Maudlin warning against embracing the Razor too strongly. Presumably inductive success suggests that the world supports this particular use of the Razor.