Ockham's Razor

Ockham's Razor

William of Ockham was an English monk, philosopher, theologian, who provided the scientific method with its key principle 700 years ago. 'What can be done with fewer assumptions is done in vain with more,' he said. That is, in explaining any phenomenon, we should use no more explanatory concepts than are absolutely necessary. Simplicity should never be despised. Thoughtful people have their say, without interruption, on important science-related topics.

4 Episodes of this Podcast:

2009-11-01 The evolution of world peace

Published: 2009-10-31 10:00:00

In recent history we've seen numerous acts of global terrorism, invasions, genocides, wars and the growing threat of nuclear proliferation. Dr Scott Field is a lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey and a Visiting Scholar at the Institute of International Studies at the University of California Berkeley and he argues that we are on the path to eventual world peace.

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2009-10-25 Women, science and politics

Published: 2009-10-24 10:00:00

Politics used to be known as 'a man's business'. However, the situation seems to be changing globally to some extent. Emeritus Professor Sol Encel from the University of New South Wales looks at female politicians, past and present, and found that a large number of them have a scientific background.

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2009-10-18 Professor Ian Plimer replies to his critics

Published: 2009-10-17 10:00:00

In June this year Professor Kurt Lambeck, President of the Australian Academy of Science, discussed Professor Ian Plimer's book Heaven and Earth. Professor Plimer has been criticised in some circles about his views on climate change and in this talk he answers his critics.

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2009-10-11 How T.H. Huxley helped me teach my students how to write

Published: 2009-10-10 10:00:00

Dr Susan Lawler is a teacher of evolution and genetics at the Albury/Wodonga campus of La Trobe University. The lack of writing skills in her students gave her the idea to correspond with her students as T.H. Huxley.

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