Re: Predeterminism and parallel universes

From: Jim Armstrong (jarmstro@qwest.net)
Date: Thu Jul 10 2003 - 00:03:28 EDT

  • Next message: Don Winterstein: "Re: Predeterminism and parallel universes"

    Glenn,

    I am a bit puzzled.
    Is MWH really the simplest explanation?
    Does not "many-worlds" correspond to "plurality"?
    JimA

    Glenn Morton wrote:

    >Jim, you wrote:
    >
    >-----Original Message-----
    >From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu]On
    >Behalf Of Jim Armstrong
    >Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 7:06 PM
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >>I like the general line of thought here. I don't cotton to the MWH in part
    >>
    >>
    >because it fails
    >
    >
    >>to negotiate Occam's razor.
    >>
    >>
    >
    >I would suggest that this is a misuse of Occam. Occam's razor doesn't mean
    >that the simplest universe is the most likely. It means 'given the fact at
    >hand, the simplest explanation of those facts is the most likely.'
    >
    >And given the nature of this thread, it is interesting to look at Ockham's
    >most famous rendition of his razor. It is "A plurality must not be asserted
    >without necessity." A. C. Crombie, Medieval and Early Modern Science, Vo.
    >II, (New York: Anchor Books, 1959,P. 30 (It is nice to have my philosophy
    >books back.)
    >
    >At this point in history, without a test having been done, one can't assert
    >the multiverse is true. But given evidence, MWH would not violate Ockham.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >



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