Often analogies can be good ways of communicating. If it is raining heavily I could say “it’s raining heavily” or perhaps I could use an analogy “it’s raining cats & dogs”. This a perfectly reasonable use of analogy to underline the point I wish to make with perhaps greater force and imagery. However, analogies are … Continue reading Is an Argument from Analogy Helpful →

I commonly observe it that having no responsibility for implementation leads to impossible plans. In meetings when plans are being discussed, often those without the responsibility for their implementation will argue for much tougher targets and objectives (to the point of fantasy) than those that have to do it. Often in relationships one partner will suggest a plan … Continue reading Nothing is impossible to someone who doesn’t have to do it. →

Hanlon's Razor, as a term, is a bit of a spoof on Ockham's razor (see previous post), but this light-hearted presentation conceals an insidious tendency. Hanlon's Razor states: It is unwise to attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. It is common to jump to an explanation of events by attributing bad faith, … Continue reading Hanlon’s Razor →

In my previous blog "Best or Least Worse 1", I argued that many problems that confront us in the real world do not have simple solutions and that in reality we are searching for the least worse solution rather than trying to optimise and achieve a perfect solution. Today I want to further consider two … Continue reading Best or Least Worse 2 →