The true meaning of Occam's razor is often debated (1), despite the controversy the message is clear. My version of what Occam is most famous for is simply that all fact must be in agreement and taken together in the most logical manner to address truth. Unfortunately, we can't all be experts on every topic. For this reason the scientific community collects knowledge through the peer review system (2). This system allows the top minds humanity has to offer to verify new facts and place them in our framework of understanding. Accepting something as fact should never be taken lightly. Science demands the burden of proof and through the peer reviewing system, proofs taken together can form theories and eventually become accepted as fact.
When one moves beyond currently understood fact we begin to speculate and apply our own beliefs and value systems to the unknown. Where my beliefs and values begin is with Occam and the peer reviewed system. I believe a 'good scientist' must accept all current fact at face value and reject theory which is disproven by fact. This sounds simple, but in reality is quite difficult to live day to day.
OK, I think I'm done sounding preachy (at least for now). Through this blog I hope to share my point of view and publicly proclaim my excitement for scientific progress.
As you will no doubt be able to tell from Robyn's blog posts; I have been lucky enough to find a partner in a caring, beautiful and artistic woman. She has led me down a path of artistic education that I simply did not know existed (take link 3 for example). In the world of art there is no wrong and fact can often be completely irrelevant. I have a long way to go before I can fully understand art but I'm looking forward to the journey.
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor
2. http://www.nature.com/authors/peer_review/index.html
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dada
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