How are we to talk about simplicity

[jesusmademe]

So I watched this video:

In this video we are told that simplicity is having few parts or no parts at all. Then the pizza aint simple. The pizza is complex.
We are in fact using this definition every day. A simple tune could be made of just two chords and thus simple but still very difficult.
We sometimes hear the term simplicity refering to something easy. A two chord accordion tune could be really difficult. And a simple living could be bloody difficult. If one accepts that God is the Existence Itself (ipse esse…?) then one would agree that just by looking at existence we will see God (at least in some form). Simple people without formal music training are often the best at two chord tunes.
So the difficulty of simplicity is that we complicate stuff a lot or never really learn the two chord tune. We want a four or five chord tune. I took this as an example as I am an accordionist. Maybe we complicate God. I read Romans 1:20-22 and St Paul död not complicate stuff at all.
Hos are we to speak about simplicity?

 

[otrrl]

Simplicity is in the eye of the beholder. I think you need to be more specific about your question. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church for the deposit of faith of the Catholic Church.

 

[Lee1]

From simple beginnings complexity can arise. Seen in chaos theory for example but everywhere in nature really.

Personally I like to keep my faith as simple as possible so I do not lose sight of God through a forest of theology. That’s just me.

From another point of view I have taken easy routes sometimes which led me into complexity far more than if I’d taken more effort to do things right in the first place. Forward planning can really pay off.

Finally I’ve noticed that many people including me, long for a simple life, a nice home paid for, in a pretty place perhaps in the countryside and just enough to live on. Simple. To get those things can cost an awful lot and to afford this simplicity you may need to live a complicated life at least for a while.

I favour simplicity but unless I’m prepared to live by begging and living in hedges then I must suffer some complexity at least.

 

[Edward_H]

Simplicity means “without plaits, or folds”.

Our relationship with God and others should be simple, not with guards and folds and mutliple intentions, complications.

Interestingly/similarly, “sincerity” means…“without wax”. Wax was used by sculptors back in the day to hide defects in stauary.

When we go to Confession or to prayer we should be simple and sincere, baring ourselves, including our defects plainly so that God can help us, so that there is less “distance” between God and us.

Simplicity is a virtue and it can be practiced and “perfected”.

 

[Lee1]

Simply put.

 

[jesusmademe]

Can philosophy and theology be simple? Or are they comprised of many parts and therefore are Only to be called complex?

The soiritual life is supposed to be simple but…our spiritual life is made up of many different prayers and other stuff which make it complex. How can we then live a simple soiritual life?

 

[Gorgias]

In this video we are told that simplicity is having few parts or no parts at all. Then the pizza aint simple. The pizza is complex.

In the context of the video (i.e., philosophy), what is being discussed is the distinction between “made up of parts” and “not made up of parts.” In that context, ‘simple’ means “not made up of parts.” The opposite of ‘simple’, in this context, isn’t ‘complex’ or ‘complicated’, but rather, ‘composite’ (which, not surprisingly, means “made up of parts”).

So, we’re not using the term ‘simple’ here to talk about complexity at all! We’re just asking “are there parts to God?” The term ‘simplicity’ doesn’t mean “few parts” – it means “not made up of parts” at all!

We are in fact using this definition every day. A simple tune could be made of just two chords and thus simple but still very difficult.

That’s a different definition of ‘simple’.

We sometimes hear the term simplicity refering to something easy.

Again, that’s a different definition than the one that’s being discussed in the video.

Maybe we complicate God. I read Romans 1:20-22 and St Paul död not complicate stuff at all.

Maybe we do. To tell the truth, I find St Paul’s writings very complex!

Hos are we to speak about simplicity?

It depends. In the context of the video, we’re just making the point that “God isn’t made up of pre-existing stuff.” I mean… we are, as humans. Pizza is (after all, how could you make pizza if you didn’t already have dough, tomatoes, cheese, and pepperoni?).

 

[jesusmademe]

So you are saying that calling a tune simple and calling God simple is related but yet very different?
I mean, God is not made up of no part but the tunes is so in this way it is very different.

Are the two definitions of simple not actually related? Few part and no parts?
Or am I confused?
How is St Paul complex? He says that we all can, by reasoning, know that God is real and that natural law is real. Doesnt have to be conokex at all!

 

[Gorgias]

So you are saying that calling a tune simple and calling God simple is related but yet very different?
I mean, God is not made up of no part but the tunes is so in this way it is very different.

Are the two definitions of simple not actually related? Few part and no parts?

No, I"m not saying that these are related. I’m saying that, in this context, ‘simple’ means “having no constituent parts.”

So, the word ‘simple’ has many definitions. We’re talking about one definition, and you’re talking about a different definition.

So, you can’t talk about a discussion that’s using one definition, and address it as if it’s using a different definition.

How is St Paul complex?

His descriptions are quite complex! Have you ever tried reading what he wrote? (In Greek, if not only in English?!?)