Sterkenburg, Tom F. (2016) Solomonoff Prediction and Occam's Razor. Philosophy of Science, 83 (4). pp. 459-479.
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Abstract
Algorithmic information theory gives an idealized notion of compressibility, that is often presented as an objective measure of simplicity. It is suggested at times that Solomonoff prediction, or algorithmic information theory in a predictive setting, can deliver an argument to justify Occam's razor. This paper explicates the relevant argument, and, by converting it into a Bayesian framework, reveals why it has no such justificatory force. The supposed simplicity concept is better perceived as a specific inductive assumption, the assumption of effectiveness. It is this assumption that is the characterizing element of Solomonoff prediction, and wherein its philosophical interest lies.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Keywords: | Algorithmic information theory, Occam's razor, Bayesian confirmation, universal prediction | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Computer Science General Issues > Confirmation/Induction Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics |
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| Depositing User: | Mr Tom Sterkenburg | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 14 Sep 2016 12:45 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 14 Sep 2016 12:45 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 12429 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Philosophy of Science | ||||||
| Publisher: | The University of Chicago Press | ||||||
| Official URL: | http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdfplus/10.10... | ||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1086/687257 | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Computer Science General Issues > Confirmation/Induction Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics |
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| Date: | October 2016 | ||||||
| Page Range: | pp. 459-479 | ||||||
| Volume: | 83 | ||||||
| Number: | 4 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12429 |
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