(SGU 5X5) Skepticism 101 - Occam's Razor

The Skeptics Guide to the Universe is a weekly Science podcast talkshow discussing the latest news and topics from the world of the paranormal, fringe science, and controversial claims from a scientific point of view.

This show examines Occam's Razor.

http://www.theskepticsguide.org/

http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/

http://www.randi.org/site/

http://skepchick.org/

http://skepticblog.org/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Skeptics
• Guide
• to
• the
• Universe
• Steven
• Novella
• Bob
• Jay
• Rebecca
• Watson
• Evan
• Bernstein
• Perry
• DeAngelis
• James
• Randi
• Carl
• Sagan
• Occam's
• Razor

[terminaldeity]

I really wish people would stop dumbing down Occam's Razor. Instead of saying "the simplest answer is the right one," I think we should get in the habit of saying, "no complexity without necessity."

That being said, people who experience these things tend to have a hard time accepting the "simple" answer. My sister believes in ghosts based on experiences that are most likely hypnogogic visions. She refuses to accept that, though.

[ozzy1248]

And the examples presented in this video (dead cows, lights in the sky, waking dreams, crop circles) are prime illustrations of phenomena that have perfectly sound terrestrial explanations without the need to invoke the added assumption of extraterrestrial intervention. Hence, Occams Razor tends to favor the conclusion (at least with the presented examples) that we are NOT being visited.

[ozzy1248]

However, what I do take issue with is the extremely low bar for the quality of evidence some true believers are willing to accept as proof for alien visitation here on earth.

[ozzy1248]

Absolutely agree. In fact, I'd take your assessment one step farther and say that our galaxy, in all likelihood, is teeming with life (at least simple singled-celled organisms). I think its also very likely that theres a great number of more advanced life, and probably more than a few advanced civilizations, equal to and more developed than our own. Im sure youre familiar with Drakes Equation. This opinion does not contradict what we currently know and understand about life and the universe.

[EricZombie]

If there were enough planets residing in the habitable zones around billions of stars, at least one other would probably develop complex life. IF this life is humanoid, it would be due to the process of parallel evolution. IF this life is advanced enough, they MAY be able to travel great distances, and MAY try to seek out other life. The simplest explanation may be the most likely, but the odds are still quite good that life exists elsewhere.

[EricZombie]

Good vid, but I do believe in extraterrestrial life. The chemical reactions that begat abiogenesis are common throughout the universe, and as long as the conditions are right, life would probably form. since the laws of physics dictate and direct evolution, any reproducing molecules would probably develop in a similar fashion, with organs to sense heat, light, chemical signatures, physical contact, and vibrations. it would also develop limbs to manipulate it's environment.

[adolfsandval]

Great video, the simplest explanation is usually the truth one, great video, 5 stars