In Knowledge There Is Always A Trade Off Between Accuracy And Simplicity Analysis

“In knowledge there is always a trade-off between accuracy and simplicity.” Evaluate this statement in relation to two areas of knowledge. Sit in any K-12 science or math class and the trade-off between accuracy and simplicity will be blaringly obvious. Whether the teacher is explaining cellular respiration or statistical modelling, in order to aid the students in understanding the concept, they will omit certain details and simplify others to make the concept more tangible. One question to consider is whether accuracy lends itself to more holistic knowledge while simplicity aids understanding? it is said that “In knowledge there is always a trade-off between accuracy and simplicity.” It is important to clarify the contextual meaning of the key words: ‘knowledge’, ‘accuracy’ and ‘simplicity’ in different areas of knowledge such as the Mathematics and the Natural Sciences. How and why is there a trade off between accuracy and simplicity in these areas of knowledge? Simplicity may help in faster understanding of a complex subject but it sacrifices accuracy in its way. However, it should also be considered that knowledge cannot be acquired without simplicity …show more content…
Overall, in most occasions, there is a tradeoff between accuracy and simplicity. However, there are scenarios where “all other things being equal, the simplest theory is the best one.” This essay also examines different examples to establish the ways in which simplicity aids in understanding while accuracy lends itself to holistic knowledge about a particular subject. Through the scenarios examined in this essay, it is also evident that knowledge cannot be obtained without simplicity and it won’t be complete without