Simple or Simplistic?
I've been thinking for a while about how to better explain the issue of ending up being simplistic when the aim was simple. I've also been investigating ChatGPT so I asked it to explain a quote on this subject that I was reminded of recently:
"Seek simplicity and distrust it" is a famous quote from the philosopher and mathematician Alfred North Whitehead. It suggests that while simplicity is desirable in decision making, it is important to be cautious and not take it at face value. In the context of decision science, this quote highlights the importance of considering all relevant information and being aware of the limitations of simple models and approaches.
In decision science, simple models and heuristics are often used to make decisions quickly and efficiently. For example, a decision maker might use a simple rule of thumb, such as "choose the option with the highest expected value," to make a choice. While this approach can be useful in many situations, it is important to remember that the real world is often more complex than the models used to describe it.
Therefore, it is crucial to "distrust" simple models and approaches, and to carefully consider the limitations and assumptions underlying them. This means being aware of potential biases, considering alternative perspectives, and incorporating additional information and analysis when making decisions.
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In conclusion, the quote "Seek simplicity and distrust it" is a reminder that while simplicity is desirable in decision making, it is important to be cautious and to consider the limitations and assumptions of simple models and approaches.
I had mentioned in another discussion that conceptual thinking can make it hard to put my thoughts into words (it is a translation process and I'm too lazy!) and that ChatGPT might be of real benefit to me. I will probably edit this text a little before using it elsewhere but it is a very good draft for what I was wanting to express.