| Geoscience and Environment |
Occam's RazorThe principle of Occam's razor, also called law of economy, or law of parsimony, was stated by William of Ockham (1285–1347/49), a scholastic, that Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate; “Plurality should not be posited without necessity.” The principle gives precedence to simplicity; of two competing theories, the simplest explanation of an entity is to be preferred. The principle is also expressed “Entities are not to be multiplied beyond necessity.” (Encyclopedia Britannica, Deluxe CD Version, 2004). |
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Argand's Views"Since 1915, and particularly since 1918, I have spent a long time testing the degree of authenticity of drift theory, drawing upon the whole atlas of tectonic forms at my disposal, and all the points in opposition to movements that I can see. Therefore, if I lack the time today to substantiate some of my deductions, this does not mean anyone can regard them as rash or unfounded, without stretching a point.... ""The soundness of any theory is no more than its ability to portray the entirety of facts known to date [Bold mine]. In this respect the theory of drift of the large continental land masses is in an excellent state of health. When it began it was aiming at the unknown (elle a visé l'absolu); as it developed, it gained much in strength and resources without sacrificing anything at all in the way of logical power; on the contrary, it increased in scope and became more and more in harmony with the conceptions that are generally held. This work of purification and refining is quite perceptible in the publications of Wegener. Drift theory is firmly based on the areas where geophysics, geology, biogeography and palaeo-climatology overlap, and it has not been refuted. One must have searched for a long time to find objections to the theory, and also have found some in order to be able to appreciate fully a certain unassailability that distinguishes the theory and which comes from great flexibility combined with a vast range of possibilities for vindication. One thinks he has a crucial objection right in his grasp; one more blow and the whole theory must crumble. Yet nothing crumbles; it is just that one has forgotten a point or two. That is the protean resilience of a flexible world-view...." "It is true that there are a number of objections to the theory, but almost all of them are of the kind that I have mentioned. Of those that have been published or can be imagined, only a very few are sound; these concern only a few subsidiary matters and never, so far, the vital issues." Source: Wegener, 1929. |
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