One thing I overlooked....
From: Steve Clark <ssclark@facstaff.wisc.edu>
>Alternative explanations always accompany a given set of data. Martians
>also could have deposited the presents. This explanation fully explains
>the observation....
I don't think any explanation ever *fully* explains an observation.
Observations can only be explained in terms of initial conditions and
theories, which themselves require explanation, and so on back to the Big
Bang and the Theory of Everything (and beyond?).
You mentioned that parsimony is not the only criterion by which we choose
between explanations. I agree. Another criterion is how "full" the
explanation is. However, I'm at a loss to define what I mean by "fullness".
Perhaps you can help me out.
Richard Wein (Tich)
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