Simplicity, Inference and
Modelling
The idea that simplicity
matters in science is as old as science itself, with the much cited example of Ockham's
Razor, 'entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem': entities are not to be
multiplied beyond necessity. A problem with Ockham's razor is that nearly everybody
seems to accept it, but few are able to define its exact meaning and to make it
operational in a non-arbitrary way. Using a multidisciplinary perspective including
philosophers, mathematicians, econometricians and economists, this monograph examines
simplicity by asking six questions: What is meant by simplicity? How is simplicity
measured? Is there an optimum trade-off between simplicity and goodness-of-fit? What is
the relation between simplicity and empirical modelling? What is the relation between
simplicity and prediction? What is the connection between simplicity and convenience? The
book concludes with reflections on simplicity by Nobel Laureates in Economics.
Contents
1. The importance of
simplicity in theory and practice A. Zellner, H. A. Keuzenkamp and M. McAleer;
2. What is the problem of
simplicity? E. Sober;
3 Science seeks parsimony -
not simplicity searching for pattern in phenomena H. Simon;
4. A macroeconomic approach
to complexity M. Boumans;
5. The new science of
simplicity M. R. Forster;
6. What explains complexity? B.
Hamminga;
7. Occam's bonus A. W.
F. Edwards;
8. Simplicity, information,
Kolmogorov complexity, and prediction P. Vitanyi and M. Li;
9. Simplicity and statistical
inference J. Rissanen;
10. Rissanen's theorem and
econometric series W. Ploberger and P. C. B. Phillips;
11. Parametric versus
non-parametric inference: satistical models and simplicity;
12. The role of simplicity in
an econometric model selection process A. Aznar, M. Isable Ayuda and C.
Garcia-Olaverri;
13. Simplicity in a
behavioural, non-parametric context D. Tempelaar;
14. Keep it sophisticatedly
simple A. Zellner;
15. Communication, complexity
and coordination in games M. Ganslandt;
16. The simplicity of an
earnings frontier U. Jensen;
17. Simplicity - views of the
Nobel Laureates in economic science H. A. Keuzenkamp and M. McAleer.
312 pages 11 tables 16
figures