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'''Simplicity''' is being simple. It is a [[state]], condition, or [[quality]] which [[things]] can be judged to have. It usually relates to the burden which a thing puts on someone trying to explain or understand it. Something which is easy to understand or explain is simple, in contrast to something complicated. In some uses, simplicity can be used to imply [[beauty]], purity or clarity. Simplicity may also be used in a negative connotation to denote a deficit or insufficiency of nuance or complexity of a thing, relative to what is supposed to be required.

'''Simplicity''' is being simple. It is a [[state]], condition, or [[quality]] which [[things]] can be judged to have. It usually relates to the burden which a thing puts on someone trying to explain or understand it. Something which is easy to understand or explain is simple, in contrast to something complicated. In some uses, simplicity can be used to imply [[beauty]], purity or clarity. Simplicity may also be used in a negative connotation to denote a deficit or insufficiency of nuance or complexity of a thing, relative to what is supposed to be required.

The [[concept]] of simplicity has been related to [[truth]] in the field of [[epistemology]]. According to [[Occam's razor]], all other things being equal, the simplest theory is the most likely to be true. In the [[context]] of human lifestyle, simplicity can denote freedom from hardship, effort or confusion. Specifically, it can refer to a simple living lifestyle.

The [[concept]] of simplicity has been related to [[truth]] in the field of [[epistemology]]. According to [[Occam's razor]], all other things being equal, the simplest theory is the most likely to be true. In the [[context]] of human lifestyle, simplicity can denote freedom from hardship, effort or confusion. Specifically, it can refer to a simple living lifestyle.

Simplicity is a theme in the Christian religion. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, [[God]] is infinitely simple. The Roman Catholic and Anglican religious orders of Franciscans also strive after simplicity. Members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) practice the Testimony of Simplicity, which is the simplifying of one's life in order to [[focus]] on things that are most important and disregard or avoid things that are least important.

Simplicity is a theme in the Christian religion. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, [[God]] is infinitely simple. The Roman Catholic and Anglican religious orders of Franciscans also strive after simplicity. Members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) practice the Testimony of Simplicity, which is the simplifying of one's life in order to [[focus]] on things that are most important and disregard or avoid things that are least important.

 

==In Philosophy & Science==

The definition provided by [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/simplicity Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy] is that "Other things being equal simpler theories are better."

 

==Simplicity in philosophy==

The definition provided by [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/simplicity Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy] is that "Other things being equal simpler theories are better."

There is a widespread philosophical presumption that simplicity is a theoretical [[virtue]]. This presumption that simpler theories are preferable appears in many guises. Often it remains implicit; sometimes it is invoked as a primitive, self-evident proposition; other times it is elevated to the status of a ‘Principle’ and labeled as such (for example, the ‘Principle of Parsimony’). However, it is perhaps best known by the name ‘Occam's (or Ockham's) Razor.’ Simplicity principles have been proposed in various forms by theologians, philosophers, and scientists, from ancient through medieval to modern times. Thus Aristotle writes in his ''Posterior Analytics'',

There is a widespread philosophical presumption that simplicity is a theoretical [[virtue]]. This presumption that simpler theories are preferable appears in many guises. Often it remains implicit; sometimes it is invoked as a primitive, self-evident proposition; other times it is elevated to the status of a ‘Principle’ and labeled as such (for example, the ‘Principle of Parsimony’). However, it is perhaps best known by the name ‘Occam's (or Ockham's) Razor.’ Simplicity principles have been proposed in various forms by theologians, philosophers, and scientists, from ancient through medieval to modern times. Thus Aristotle writes in his ''Posterior Analytics'',

<blockquote>We may assume the superiority ceteris paribus of the demonstration which derives from fewer postulates or hypotheses. [Aristotle, Posterior Analytics, transl. McKeon, [1963, p. 150].]</blockquote>

<blockquote>We may assume the superiority ceteris paribus of the demonstration which derives from fewer postulates or hypotheses. [Aristotle, Posterior Analytics, transl. McKeon, [1963, p. 150].]</blockquote>

*Wilson, R. A. a. K., Frank C., (1999). The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences. Cambridge, Massachusetts, The MIT Press. parsimony and simplicity p.627–629.

*Wilson, R. A. a. K., Frank C., (1999). The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences. Cambridge, Massachusetts, The MIT Press. parsimony and simplicity p.627–629.

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/simplicity/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry]

*[https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/simplicity/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry]

*[http://www-db.stanford.edu/IMAGE/ Stanford SIMPLIcity image retrieval system, 1999.]

*[https://www-db.stanford.edu/IMAGE/ Stanford SIMPLIcity image retrieval system, 1999.]

*[http://occamssword.com/CORE%20READINGS%20IN%20THE%20PHILOSOPHY%20OF%20SCIENCE.htm Extensive bibliography] for simplicity in the philosophy of science

*[https://occamssword.com/CORE%20READINGS%20IN%20THE%20PHILOSOPHY%20OF%20SCIENCE.htm Extensive bibliography] for simplicity in the philosophy of science

*[http://www.francis.or.kr/ReligiousLife/aimsE.htm/ Franciscan rules of simplicity]

*[https://www.francis.or.kr/ReligiousLife/aimsE.htm/ Franciscan rules of simplicity]

*[http://samvak.tripod.com/complex.html Complexity vs. Simplicity]

*[https://samvak.tripod.com/complex.html Complexity vs. Simplicity]

*[http://www.earthhealing.info/beyond.pdf Beyond Simplicity: Tough Issues For A New Era] by Albert J. Fritsch, SJ, PhD

*[https://www.earthhealing.info/beyond.pdf Beyond Simplicity: Tough Issues For A New Era] by Albert J. Fritsch, SJ, PhD

*"[http://sveinbjorn.org/simple_theories_of_a_complex_world On Simple Theories Of A Complex World]" by [[W. V. O. Quine]]

*"[https://sveinbjorn.org/simple_theories_of_a_complex_world On Simple Theories Of A Complex World]" by [[W. V. O. Quine]]

*[http://www.mywilliespress.com Art of Simplicity] teachings and writings by Claude R. Sheffield

*[https://www.mywilliespress.com Art of Simplicity] teachings and writings by Claude R. Sheffield

*[http://www.changethis.com/22.SimplicityCycle The Simplicity Cycle] is a graphical exploration of the relationship between complexity, goodness and time.

*[https://www.changethis.com/22.SimplicityCycle The Simplicity Cycle] is a graphical exploration of the relationship between complexity, goodness and time.

*[http://www.marcandangel.com/2008/03/23/the-30-most-satisfying-simple-pleasures-life-has-to-offer/ The 30 Most Satisfying Simple Pleasures Life Has to Offer] is a great list of simple pleasures.

*[https://www.marcandangel.com/2008/03/23/the-30-most-satisfying-simple-pleasures-life-has-to-offer/ The 30 Most Satisfying Simple Pleasures Life Has to Offer] is a great list of simple pleasures.

*[http://www.slideshare.net/cxpartners/secrets-of-simplicity Secrets of Simplicity: Rules for Being Simple and Usable] discusses techniques for simplifying technology.

*[https://www.slideshare.net/cxpartners/secrets-of-simplicity Secrets of Simplicity: Rules for Being Simple and Usable] discusses techniques for simplifying technology.

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]