Quote Of M. R. Cohen
But as Morris R. Cohen said, "If per impossible any theory were as complicated as the actual facts, it would have no real value. All theory is a simplification and therefore incomplete." As long as special assumptions and qualifications arc not introduced, thus making the simplicity deceptive, the simplicity may be considered valid.
--From Conditioned Reflex Therapy by Andrew Salter
Q1: Does Cohen words mean if a theory is too complicate to understand, then it is not helpful. If a theory is too simple, then it is need to elucidate further, so people can understand it better, thus the simplication is not complete?
Q2: Could anyone explain the meaning of the words in red? I don't understand why something s that is simple is deceptive, then the simplicity may be considered valid.
Many thanks!
Top answer
iclearwater Q1: Does Cohen words mean if a theory is too complicate to understand, then it is not helpful. The purpose of a theory is to generalize or summarize a set of facts or observations, such that if there is a new observation, it would confirm the theory. Cohen argues that it is impossible to have a theory just as complicated or more complicated that then set of facts that it is based on.
- iclearwater Q1: Does Cohen words mean if a theory is too complicate to understand, then it is not helpful.
- The purpose of a theory is to generalize or summarize a set of facts or observations, such that if there is a new observation, it would confirm the theory.
- Cohen argues that it is impossible to have a theory just as complicated or more complicated that then set of facts that it is based on.
- A theory that is just as complicated as the set of facts is rather useless, since the set of facts could be used instead of the theory.
- In the scientific method, if a new observation were to contradict the theory, then it would invalidate the theory.
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iclearwaterQ1: Does Cohen words mean if a theory is too complicate to understand, then it is not helpful.
The purpose of a theory is to generalize or summarize a set of facts or observations, such that if there is a new observation, it would confirm the theory. Cohen argues that it is impossible to have a theory just as complicated or more complica
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