Parsimony can be linked to temperance.
Parsimony is a concept originating from the Latin word parsimony that refers to calmness in the way of speaking or acting . The term can also refer to composure or coldness of mind , tranquility or slowness .
For example: "I admire Rinaldi's parsimony in responding in tense situations" , "Let's not lose parsimony: we are winning two to zero and there is little left" , "The reporter's questions managed to get the candidate out of his usual parsimony" .
Parsimony as temperance or moderation
A parsimonious subject, therefore, is someone who is circumspect and manages to control his or her emotions and impulses . Generally, parsimony is associated with temperance , balance and regulation of the will.
Take the case of two people who are questioned by the police. Suppose that both are suspected of having committed a robbery but, in reality, they are innocent. The first subject, under pressure from the interrogators, becomes desperate, bursts into tears and begins to respond with screams to claim his innocence. The second man, on the other hand, responds calmly and confidently , exhibiting all the evidence and reasons to prove that he is innocent. This last individual displays his parsimony, unlike the first.
Another use of the notion of parsimony refers to moderation and frugality in spending (the acquisition of products and services in a measured manner) and to the philosophical precept known as the principle of parsimony , which is defined below.
Thanks to parsimony, a person can regulate his will and emotions.
Ockham's Razor
Known as Ockham's razor , principle of parsimony or economy , it is a philosophical and methodological principle developed by the English scholastic philosopher and logician William of Ockham, who states that " given the same conditions, the explanation that is usually correct is the simpler ." In other words, if two theories are presented from which the same consequences follow and are based on the same conditions, the simpler of the two is more likely to be correct.
It is worth mentioning that scientists do not take advantage of this principle to strictly opt for one theory or another, but rather rely on it to guide them in the development of their theoretical models. It is possible to refute the principle of parsimony, since it by no means provides an infallible method for finding a solution; Sometimes the more complex explanation may be the correct one.
On the other hand, it is important to emphasize the evidence used to support each theory, since the principle of parsimony requires that the two options to be contrasted have a basis of equal conditions so that the simplest one can prevail. However, it is very difficult to take the appropriate steps to determine the degree of complexity of a given explanation.
The simplicity of the parsimony principle
Ockham proposed the following method to measure simplicity : if two theories generate the same consequences, then the preferred one should be the one that presents fewer entities or types of entities. It is also possible to rely on the number of axioms of each theory, that is, propositions that can be considered evident without the need for a prior demonstration.
The principle of parsimony is fundamental to the philosophy of the nominalist school , which states that particulars represent the only thing that exists, and its applications revolve around specific and practical cases. Within the field of economics, it is used in the theory of consumer behavior , belonging to microeconomics ; Since cardinal utility is not needed to find an explanation for said behavior, ordinal utility is taken, which represents the least complex explanation of the two.
As a curious fact, the origin of the name Ockham's razor is related to the contrast that can be seen between the ontological simplicity of the principle of parsimony and Platonic philosophy: since the search for the smallest number of entities was opposed to the preferences of the prominent philosopher, Ockham was said to have shaved Plato's beard with a razor .