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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==

==Simplicity in the philosophy of science==

 

==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."

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'',

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*I. 1. Free from duplicity, dissimulation, or guile; innocent and harmless; undesigning, honest, open, straightforward.

*I. 1. Free from duplicity, dissimulation, or guile; innocent and harmless; undesigning, honest, open, straightforward.

:2. Free from, devoid of, pride, ostentation, or display; humble, unpretentious.

:2. Free from, devoid of, pride, ostentation, or display; [[humble]], unpretentious.

:3. a. Free from elaboration or artificiality; artless, unaffected; plain, unadorned. Usually implying that the simplicity is a merit, but sometimes (as in quot. 1827) with suggestion of sense 7.

:3. a. Free from elaboration or artificiality; artless, unaffected; plain, unadorned. Usually implying that the simplicity is a merit, but sometimes (as in quot. 1827) with suggestion of sense 7.

::b. Of persons: Free from over-refinement, unsophisticated, unspoiled.

::b. Of persons: Free from over-refinement, unsophisticated, unspoiled.

*II. 4.    a. Of persons, or their origin: Poor or humble in condition; of low rank or position; undistinguished, mean, common.

*II. 4.    a. Of persons, or their [[origin]]: Poor or humble in condition; of low rank or position; undistinguished, mean, common.

::b. In modest or apologetic use.

::b. In modest or apologetic use.

::c. In phr. as simple as, or simple though, I stand here. Obs.

::c. In phr. as simple as, or simple though, I stand here. Obs.

:5. With designations or titles: Ordinary; not further distinguished in office or rank.

:5. With designations or titles: Ordinary; not further distinguished in office or rank.

:6. a. Of persons or their attire: Not marked by any elegance or grandeur; very plain or homely.

:6. a. Of persons or their attire: Not marked by any elegance or grandeur; very plain or homely.

::b. Similarly of living, diet, abode, etc. the simple life, a mode of life in which anything of the nature of luxury is intentionally avoided; also attrib. Hence simple-lifer, a follower or proponent of the simple life. Also simple-liver; simple-living vbl. n. and ppl. adj.

::b. Similarly of living, diet, abode, etc. the simple life, a mode of life in which anything of the [[nature]] of luxury is intentionally avoided; also attrib. Hence simple-lifer, a follower or proponent of the simple life. Also simple-liver; simple-living vbl. n. and ppl. adj.

::c. Ordinary, not festival. Obs.1

::c. Ordinary, not festival. Obs.1

:7. a. Small, insignificant, slight; of little account or value; also, weak or feeble.

:7. a. Small, insignificant, slight; of little account or value; also, weak or feeble.

::b. Of mental powers, etc.

::b. Of mental powers, etc.

::c. Of compositions, etc., esp. in apologetic use.

::c. Of compositions, etc., esp. in apologetic use.

:10. a. Lacking in ordinary sense or intelligence; more or less foolish, silly, or stupid; also, mentally deficient, half-witted (now dial.).

:10. a. Lacking in ordinary sense or [[intelligence]]; more or less foolish, silly, or stupid; also, mentally deficient, half-witted (now dial.).

::b. Simple Simon.    (a) (See quots. 1785, 1865. ‘Simple Simon’ is the subject of various nursery rhymes, which may have given rise to the general use. (b) U.S. Rhyming slang. A diamond.

::b. Simple Simon. ‘Simple Simon’ is the subject of various nursery rhymes, which may have given rise to the general use.  

::c. In bird-names, as simple tern (or viralve), warbler.

::c. In bird-names, as simple tern (or viralve), warbler.

*III. 11.    a. With nothing added; considered or taken by itself; mere, pure, bare; single.

*III. 11.    a. With nothing added; considered or taken by itself; mere, [[pure]], bare; single.

::b. In phr. pure and simple. Cf. PURE a. 3.

::b. In phr. pure and simple. Cf. PURE a. 3.

:12. a. Med. Of wounds, diseases, etc.: Unaccompanied by complications.

:12. a. Med. Of wounds, diseases, etc.: Unaccompanied by complications.

::b. Law. Unattended by any strengthening circumstance; not specially confirmed. simple contract, one made by word of mouth or not under seal; also attrib.

::b. Law. Unattended by any strengthening circumstance; not specially confirmed. simple contract, one made by [[word]] of mouth or not under seal; also attrib.

:13. Consisting or composed of one substance, ingredient, or element; uncompounded, unmixed (or nearly so): a. Of bodies or substances, esp. natural or organic.

:13. Consisting or composed of one substance, ingredient, or element; uncompounded, unmixed (or nearly so): a. Of bodies or substances, esp. natural or organic.

::b. Of medical or other preparations. simple colours (see quot. 1771).

::b. Of medical or other preparations. simple colours  

::c. In general use.

::c. In general use.

:14. a. Not composite or complex in respect of parts or structure.

:14. a. Not composite or complex in respect of parts or [[structure]].

::b. spec. in scientific use.   

::b. spec. in scientific use.   

::c. Math.    (a) Applied to a group that has no proper normal subgroup; and hence to an algebra or ring that has no proper ideal.

::c. Math.    (a) Applied to a [[group]] that has no proper normal subgroup; and hence to an algebra or ring that has no proper [[ideal]].

::d. simple structure (Statistics): a model in which numerous variables, showing various degrees of correlation, have their variances assigned to a smaller number of factors in such a way that no factor affects all of the variables.

::d. simple structure ([[Statistics]]): a [[model]] in which numerous variables, showing various degrees of correlation, have their variances assigned to a smaller number of factors in such a way that no factor affects all of the variables.

:15. a. Not complicated or involved; presenting little or no complexity or difficulty.

:15. a. Not complicated or involved; presenting little or no complexity or difficulty.

==References==

==References==