MCMP – Philosophy of Science

Occam's Razor in Algorithmic Information Theory


Listen Later

Tom Sterkenburg (Amsterdam/Groningen) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (15 January, 2015) titled "Occam's Razor in Algorithmic Information Theory". Abstract: Algorithmic information theory, also known as Kolmogorov complexity, is sometimes believed to offer us a general and objective measure of simplicity. The first variant of this simplicity measure to appear in the literature was in fact part of a theory of prediction: the central achievement of its originator, R.J. Solomonoff, was the definition of an idealized method of prediction that is taken to implement Occam's razor in giving greater probability to simpler hypotheses about the future. Moreover, in many writings on the subject an argument of the following sort takes shape. From (1) the definition of the Solomonoff predictor which has a precise preference for simplicity, and (2) a formal proof that this predictor will generally lead us to the truth, it follows that (Occam's razor) a preference for simplicity will generally lead us to the truth. Thus, sensationally, this is an argument to justify Occam's razor. In this talk, I show why the argument fails. The key to its dissolution is a representation theorem that links Kolmogorov complexity to Bayesian prediction.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

MCMP – Philosophy of ScienceBy MCMP Team

  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4

4

1 ratings


More shows like MCMP – Philosophy of Science

View all
Hegel lectures by Robert Brandom, LMU Munich by Robert Brandom, Axel Hutter

Hegel lectures by Robert Brandom, LMU Munich

7 Listeners

MCMP – Epistemology by MCMP Team

MCMP – Epistemology

0 Listeners

MCMP – Mathematical Philosophy (Archive 2011/12) by MCMP Team

MCMP – Mathematical Philosophy (Archive 2011/12)

6 Listeners

John Lennox - Hat die Wissenschaft Gott begraben? by Professor John C. Lennox, University of Oxford

John Lennox - Hat die Wissenschaft Gott begraben?

4 Listeners

Theoretical Physics Schools (ASC) by The Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics (ASC)

Theoretical Physics Schools (ASC)

2 Listeners

MCMP – Philosophy of Mathematics by MCMP Team

MCMP – Philosophy of Mathematics

2 Listeners

Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) Research Focus Evidence Based Practice (LMU) - HD by Center for Advanced Studies (CAS)

Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) Research Focus Evidence Based Practice (LMU) - HD

0 Listeners

Women Thinkers in Antiquity and the Middle Ages - SD by Peter Adamson

Women Thinkers in Antiquity and the Middle Ages - SD

0 Listeners

Katholische Theologie - Open Access LMU - Teil 02/02 by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Katholische Theologie - Open Access LMU - Teil 02/02

1 Listeners

Epistemology and Philosophy of Science: Prof. Dr. Stephan Hartmann – HD by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Epistemology and Philosophy of Science: Prof. Dr. Stephan Hartmann – HD

1 Listeners