It is vain to do with more what can be done with less. (William of Ockham)
Thinking about the musings from DAY 91: Rest…Relax…Reflect…
I would submit to you that the wonders contained in the scientific field of astronomy are nothing new. I would further submit to you that while the technological advancements in the realm of astronomy may assist humanity in learning more about the universe in the present, the wonders of the universe have already been discovered in the Holy Bible for thousands of years.
In my post: DAY 90: Does Anyone Know What Astronomy Is?, I presented perhaps one of the most well-known bible verses of all-time:
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV).
I would submit to you that there is an obvious case to be made that the definition of astronomy:
The study of objects and matter outside the earth’s atmosphere…
Is clearly evident in Genesis 1:1.
It is however, possible that you or someone you know, may not easily see the simplicity between Genesis 1:1 and the definition of astronomy.
This is where William of Ockham comes in.
To get a good idea as to the historical impact of William of Ockham, one must look no further than the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
“William of Ockham (c. 1287–1347) is, along with Thomas Aquinas and John Duns Scotus, among the most prominent figures in the history of philosophy during the High Middle Ages. He is probably best known today for his espousal of metaphysical nominalism; indeed, the methodological principle known as “Ockham’s Razor” is named after him. But Ockham held important, often influential views not only in metaphysics but also in all other major areas of medieval philosophy—logic, physics or natural philosophy, theory of knowledge, ethics, and political philosophy—as well as in theology.”
I would submit to you that on the surface, it may appear that you may not be familiar with William of Ockham. However, I would further submit to you that if I just pull out 2 words out of the almost 100 words that I presented from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy regarding William of Ockham, you most likely have applied his philosophy multiple times in your own lifetime:
Ockham’s Razor.
What exactly is Ockham’s Razor? Consider these 9 quotes attributed to William of Ockham over his lifetime, and then consider the simplicity, and pure genius, of Ockham’s Razor as a whole:
1) “The explanation requiring the fewest assumptions is most likely to be correct.”
2) “With all things being equal, the simplest explanation tends to be the right one.”
3) “No more things should be presumed to exist than are absolutely necessary.”
4) “When you have two competing theories that make exactly the same predictions, the simpler one is the better.”
5) “Never increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything.”
6) “Simpler explanations are, other things being equal, generally better than more complex ones.”
7) “What can be explained by the assumption of fewer things is vainly explained by the assumption of more things.”
8) “Entities are not to be multiplied beyond necessity.”
9) “Whenever two hypotheses cover the facts, use the simpler of the two.”
Not convinced of both the simplicity and genius of Ockham’s Razor? Consider the following from Albert Einstein’s:
“Everything Should Be Made as Simple as Possible, But Not Simpler.”
Now, after reviewing the 9 quotes from William of Ockham and the 1 quote from Albert Einstein, read Genesis 1:1 again:
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 KJV).
From an astronomical perspective, I guess a question to ask is this:
Which came first, William of Ockham’s philosophy known today as Ockham’s Razor, or Genesis 1:1?
The answer to that question is:
According to most biblical scholars, Genesis 1:1, was written by Moses, over a period of 40 years, from approximately (1450 – 1410 B.C.).
William of Ockham was born almost 2,700 years after the Genesis 1:1 verse was written.
Next question:
When trying to understand the scientific question in the field of astronomy as to how the universe began, what makes more sense, the left half or the right half of this visual?
If you believe that the right side of the picture makes more sense, aren’t you applying Ockham’s Razor to come to your conclusion?
Is it possible to apply Ockham’s Razor to more biblical verses regarding the scientific field of astronomy?
I will address that next time…
Do not feel discouraged if you do not see a connection with Genesis 1:1 and Ockham’s Razor. Do not feel discouraged if you still do not see how Ockham’s Razor can be applied to the scientific field of astronomy. Instead, understand that after reading Genesis 1:1 along with Ockham’s Razor, you are one step closer to discovering that science, at least astronomy for now, may not be as complicated as we think.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3 KJV).
Was today’s blog a little confusing at times? Was the content perhaps a little overwhelming? Did you feel lost not understanding some or most of the subject matter?
Those feelings are totally understandable and it is ok to have one or more of those feelings. Remember that you are reading DAY 92: How Sharp Was…And Is…Ockham’s Razor?
If you haven’t been in class since the first day of school…or when the project began…or when the contract was first signed, etc., these feelings make perfect and logistical sense.
Please feel free to go back to where all of this began: