According to the principle of parsimony,what kind of theory should we prefer?
A)The theory for which we cannot even imagine any contradictory evidence
B)The theory that was proposed first
C)The theory that is most popular with the general public
D)The theory that makes fewer and simpler assumptions

Question

According to the principle of parsimony,what kind of theory should we prefer?​
A)The theory for which we cannot even imagine any contradictory evidence
B)​The theory that was proposed first
C)​The theory that is most popular with the general public
D)​The theory that makes fewer and simpler assumptions

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of parsimony, also known as Occam's razor, states that when given two theories that explain the same phenomenon, we should choose the one that makes fewer and simpler assumptions. This means that we should prefer a theory that can explain the same thing with less complexity and fewer hypothetical entities. Therefore, option D is the correct choice. Options A, B, and C are not necessarily good choices, as the first implies an untestable theory, the second implies chronological snobbery, and the third neglects logical reasoning in favor of populism.

According to the Principle of Parsimony,what Kind of Theory Should