Griffin said that most of the time we settle for the simplest explanation of a given phenomena or widely known as Parsimony. The simplest things are the best things in life, as most people have said. But, is simplicity always enough to feed human curiosity? Or extensive elaboration is needed to pacify our minds? In other words, is parsimony always a good thing? Let’s pause and think about it.
Probably all of us have gone through Grade Five Mathematics. There’s this topic there that I truly despise, Proving. I just don’t get it. Why do I have proved something everybody agrees in (I think)? Do I have to exhaust all the math equations and use different laws just to arrive with zero property? Or just simply put there a big word “DUH”. If you’re a bitter and lazy math student like me, you would probably choose the second option. Why? Well, for crying out loud, WHY WOULD I EXPLAIN SOMETHING THAT ANY FIRST GRADER WOULD AGREE IN? It’s pointless. It’s a waste of time. I could have made used my brain cells that time to make my other assignments or play with my dolls.
There would also come to a point that simple things are not enough. There also things question that should explained extensively because the simpler explanation would not just do. For example, if we are caught doing a crime or something against the school rules, people would not be satisfied if we answer “I just feel like doing it.” Some might keep their lips sealed after you’ve said your reason but inside their heads, they really don’t believe you. They would really imply that there is always a deeper reason even though that’s the “real” reason. They would dig deeper and deeper until they find a more acceptable explanation—for them. They would point out your flaws so that they have “the answer” why you have done such thing. People do weird things, and this is one of those.
So let’s go back to the last question I raised in the first paragraph if parsimony is always a good thing. I am really torn with my answer but I really think it depends on the situation, but if had to choose one answer only; I have to say I agree with the question. Why so? First is, the simpler the explanation the more people could actually understand. If we use fancy words just to say how we feel, we would just get a puzzled look from that person. Next reason is that the explanation can be easily applied by a person in his system. It would not need a higher way of thinking or analysis.
Why would I make my life complicated if I can have a hassle-free?
word count:461(yeah boy)
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