Simplicity

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To humans, simplicity is that which is simple to them. Simple matches one's sensibilities, knowledge, intuition and expectations. If it didn't, it wouldn't be simple. What may be simple to one human may not be to another. What may be simple to humans may be simple only to humans. Simplicity has long been used by humans to define supposedly absolute things like cosmic truth, goodness, beauty, logic and purity. There are a number of problems with this. One is there is no proof that cosmic truths, for example, are simple. Another problem is simplicity, and thus what is defined as cosmic truth, is in the eye of the beholder. * * * * Normal, even subconscious thinking involves simplification, translating complex information into something understandable. Conceits are simplifications. Your visual perception involves simplification-- interpreting a complex scene, grouping and labeling the objects according to your experience, focusing on what you seem to recognize and ignoring what you don't. Visual illusions and mirages shown throughout this book involve simplification. The scene or graphic is translated by the viewer into something understandable, an understandable translation that happens to be wrong. This alone proves that simplicity is not proof of truth, and that truth isn't always simple. Lies are often simpler than truths. * * * * Simplicity, of course, has many practical uses. Scientists strive for simplicity in theories and testing. A scientific theory that is needlessly complicated will needlessly confuse students and seasoned scientists alike. Needlessly muddled theories are harder to test, study, correct and understand. In our daily life, good verbal communication requires simplicity, including using words, phrases and language the listener understands. If a traveler speaks only English, it does them no good for you to give road directions in Spanish. Road directions in Spanish may be simple to a Spanish speaker, but it's complicated to someone who doesn't know the language.   cycleback.com................conceits main     (c) david rudd cycleback, cycleback.com all rights reserved