Choices Quote by Daniel Dennett
“The theoretical fruits of deliberate oversimplification through idealization are not to be denied... Reality in all its messy particularity is too complicated to theorize about, taken straight. The issue is, rather (since every idealization is a strategic choice), which idealizations might really shed some light... which will just land us... diverting fairy tales.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking, 2013
Idealizations simplify reality but must be chosen wisely; over‑simplification can mislead, while strategic abstraction reveals insight.
In simple terms: Simplify wisely to understand complexity.
Key Takeaway
Choose useful abstractions.
Themes
philosophy
science
methodology
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research
- education
- policy analysis
- engineering
Key Concepts
idealization
modeling
theory building
Questions to Reflect On
- When does simplification become distortion?
- Which abstractions best illuminate your problem?
A Different Perspective
Over‑simplifying can hide important details.
