Citation

Klonsky ED. Death Stud. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-4.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , BC , Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07481187.2019.1594005

PMID

30985259

Abstract

Hjelmeland and Knizek suggest that parsimonious theory is inappropriate for explaining a highly complex and contextual phenomenon like suicide. Similar suggestions have been made by others. In this commentary, I counter that the pursuit of parsimonious theory is at the core of any scientific enterprise, including health sciences and suicide science. Using examples from physics and psychology, I illustrate that parsimonious theories have been essential for understanding highly complex and contextual phenomena like the motion of objects and the behavior of people. I further illustrate that these theories, despite their undeniable validity and enormous utility, have limited value for predicting future real-world events; thus, it is important not to conflate valid theory with a highly accurate prediction of the future. To conclude, I offer suggestions for better evaluating and advancing suicide theory, and I affirm that the pursuit of parsimonious suicide theory is important and worthwhile, and must continue.

Language: en