On Mon, 28 Sep 1998, Pam Blythe wrote:

> I think it's also Occam's Razor - the most likely explanation is the
> explanation, or something like that.  Thanks for all the feedback.  I think
> we've got the problem plugged up, so to speak.

Occam's Razor calls for the simplest explanation, e.g., it is simpler to
explain the movements of stars and planets in the sky if you posit the
earth orbiting the sun than vice versa.

However, Occam's Razor only works for natural phenomena.  When figuring
out any human creation, or institution, or building, you cannot rely on
any assumption about simplicity.  Hardly any simple declarative sentence
about human history is literally true without several qualifying
footnotes.  It is folly to assume that any legislation written by humans
is is simple or logical.  Likewise, don't design your remodeled floor plan
around the assumption that the water pipes take the direct route to the
upstairs bathroom.

                             Larry Kestenbaum