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:

2009-11-15 A Gunn and two Hookers - Part one

Published: 2009-11-14 09:00:00

Dr Jim Endersby is a lecturer in British History at the University of Sussex in the UK and he's the author of a book called Imperial Nature - Joseph Hooker and the Practices of Victorian Science. Joseph Hooker was an internationally renowned botanist and a close friend and early supporter of Charles Darwin and he was one of the first British men of science to become a full-time professional. Dr Jim Endersby talks about Hooker's career and offers interesting insights into the 19th century naturalists.

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2009-11-08 The role of undergraduate education in Australia

Published: 2009-11-07 09:00:00

Michael Bradley is in his 4th year studying engineering at the University of Sydney. In this talk he discusses some interesting thoughts about the role of university education.

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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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