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Beware Overreliance on Theory - briantomasik.com

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This post summarizes a transition in my epistemology from a focus on theoretical modeling of situations to a preference for empirical observation of messy details.

By Brian Tomasik First published: 14 Jun 2017. Last nontrivial update: 21 Jul 2017. Summary This post summarizes a transition in my epistemology from a focus on theoretical modeling of situations to a preference for empirical observation of messy details. Contents Summary Epigraphs My past privileging of theory My move toward empiricism Alternatives to theory When theory is useful Playing with toys vs. seeking to learn Acknowledgments Epigraphs "If people do not believe that mathematics is simple, it is only because they do not realize how complicated life is." -- John von Neumann "Nobody knew

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