Do not revise Ockham's Razor without necessity

Journal article

Baron, Sam and Tallant, Jonathan. (2018). Do not revise Ockham's Razor without necessity. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research. 96(3), pp. 596 - 619. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpr.12337
AuthorsBaron, Sam and Tallant, Jonathan
Abstract

Ockham's razor asks that we not multiply entities beyond necessity. The razor is a powerful methodological tool, enabling us to articulate reasons for preferring one theory to another. There are those, however, who would modify the razor. Schaffer (2010: 313—our italics), for one, tells us that, ‘I think the proper rendering of Ockham's razor should be ‘Do not multiply fundamental entities without necessity’’. Our aim, here, is to challenge such re‐workings of Ockham's razor.

Year2018
JournalPhilosophy and Phenomenological Research
Journal citation96 (3), pp. 596 - 619
PublisherBlackwell Publishing Inc.
ISSN0031-8205
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/phpr.12337
Scopus EID2-s2.0-84992533021
Open accessOpen access
Page range596 - 619
Research GroupDianoia Institute of Philosophy
Author's accepted manuscript
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Controlled
Place of publicationUnited States of America
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