Simplism

Simplism is a loosely used term describing a general preference for simplicity in explanations, models, or representations. It is not a single formal doctrine, but rather a spectrum of positions found across philosophy, science, design, and media criticism. In scholarly contexts, simplism is often discussed as a methodological tendency to favor parsimonious accounts over more complex ones, sometimes justified by the claim that simpler explanations are easier to test, communicate, and generalize.

In philosophy of science and epistemology, simplism is related to parsimony and Occam's razor but remains distinct. Proponents argue that simpler models require fewer assumptions and can yield clearer predictions. Critics warn that overemphasizing simplicity can erase causal mechanisms, nuance, or context, leading to misleading conclusions.

In practical fields, simplism appears as simplified theories, streamlined user interfaces, or media narratives that reduce multifaceted events to single causes or binaries. Advocates emphasize accessibility, efficiency, and robustness of core insights, while detractors point to information loss, bias, and reduced explanatory scope.

Historical usage of the term is varied; it has arisen in critiques of over-simplification since the 19th century and continues as a descriptive label rather than a fixed school. Some discussions frame simplism as a deliberate stance when expediency or communication is prioritized, whereas others view it as a caution against neglecting important detail.

See also parsimony, Occam's razor, reductionism, simplification.