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Single Idea 13743

[from 'On What Grounds What' by Jonathan Schaffer, in 2. Reason / B. Laws of Thought / 6. Ockham's Razor ]

Full Idea

Occam's Razor should only be understood to concern substances: do not multiply basic entities without necessity. There is no problem with the multiplication of derivative entities - they are an 'ontological free lunch'.

Gist of Idea

We should not multiply basic entities, but we can have as many derivative entities as we like

Source

Jonathan Schaffer (On What Grounds What [2009], 2.1)

Book Reference

'Metametaphysics', ed/tr. Chalmers/Manley/Wasserman [OUP 2009], p.361


A Reaction

The phrase 'ontological free lunch' comes from Armstrong. This is probably what Occam meant. A few extra specks of dust, or even a few more numbers (thank you, Cantor!) don't seem to challenge the principle.