I prefer the disposable Bic two-blade, myself...when I choose to shave. Anyway. Generally, yes, given two competing theories, both of which adequately explain all relevant phenomena, the simplest theory is to be preferred. That does not prove that the simplest theory is correct, nor does it disprove more complex theories. OR does not provide any definitive answer, so it does not satisfy as a formal proof.
Occamm's Razor does not 'destroy' every theistic argument. That's because it cuts both ways. Given a supposed miraculous event, the believer will say, "it was God" and the atheist will say, "it was X physical cause." Both of the competing explanations must be evaluated on their own merits. It is fallacious to hold a bias toward naturalistic causes just because you believe naturalism must be true.
At the same time, jumping to the conclusion that everything unexplained must be attributed to God is a naive attitude. The believer whose faith is predicated on miracles or the incompleteness of science is on shaky ground. A mature God-based theory would not explain only any particular cause, but ultimately all causes. The field of action for a Supreme Being encompasses all of reality and not just a particular instance.
Occamm's Razor does not 'destroy' every theistic argument. That's because it cuts both ways. Given a supposed miraculous event, the believer will say, "it was God" and the atheist will say, "it was X physical cause." Both of the competing explanations must be evaluated on their own merits. It is fallacious to hold a bias toward naturalistic causes just because you believe naturalism must be true.
At the same time, jumping to the conclusion that everything unexplained must be attributed to God is a naive attitude. The believer whose faith is predicated on miracles or the incompleteness of science is on shaky ground. A mature God-based theory would not explain only any particular cause, but ultimately all causes. The field of action for a Supreme Being encompasses all of reality and not just a particular instance.
