Single Idea 4456

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

Full Idea

Ockham's Razor has an epistemological version, which says we should not multiply existences or explanations without adequate reason, and an ontological version, which says reality is simple, and so a simpler ontology represents it more accurately.

Gist of Idea

Epistemological Ockham's Razor demands good reasons, but the ontological version says reality is simple

Source

J.P. Moreland (Universals [2001], Ch.2)

Book Reference

Moreland,J.P.: 'Universals' [Acumen 2001], p.27


A Reaction

A nice distinction. Is it reality which is simple, or us? One shouldn't write off the ontological version. If one explanation is simpler than the others, there may be a reason in nature for that.