Re: Nostratic (was Re: Schwebeablaut (was Re: tolkien?))

From:    Paul Bennett <paul-bennett@...>
> Jörg Rhiemeier <joerg_rhiemeier@...> wrote:
> On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 23:20:33 -0500,
> Rob Haden <magwich78@...> wrote:
> > > > True.  And not always the assumption of a simpler system is the
> > > > simpler explanation.
> > > True.  Occam's razor always wins.
> >
> > Right.
>
> Occam's razor need not always win. The simplest explanation for UFO
> sightings (taken en masse) is extraterrestrial visitors, but that's hardly
> the favored explanation, except largely as a matter of faith among
> beleivers.
Actually, Occam's Razor does not say "Always choose the simplest
explanation," but rather "Don't multiply theoretical entities
needlessly".  In that sense, extraterrestrial visitation does not
represent application of Occam's Razor, but rather its violation,
given our current understanding of the universe.

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