Single Idea 21267

[catalogued under 2. Reason / B. Laws of Thought / 6. Ockham's Razor]

Full Idea

It is superfluous to suppose that what can be accounted for by a few principles has been produced by many.

Gist of Idea

Supposing many principles is superfluous if a few will do it

Source

Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265], Ia,Q02,Art3,Ob2)

Book Reference

'The Existence of God', ed/tr. Hick,John [Macmillan 1964], p.82


A Reaction

Notice that this is 'superfluous' rather than 'wrong'. But ten people can lift a piano which could have been lifted by eight. Note that this is 150 years before Ockham.