What Einstein meant by following quote?

[n.karthick]

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler"
What I understood is we should not improve the old things, instead we should find an entirely new and easier way of doing the same thing.
Does he mean that progress should not be made step by step like improving the age old tradition, but it should be radically new way and achieving the theoretical maximum of simplicity.

 

[russ_watters]

It's just a little joke: if you make something simpler than is possible, then you make it wrong.

 

[stevenb]

... if you make something simpler than is possible, then you make it wrong.

I like your version even better.

 

[rewebster]

here's a good page that goes into more detail and history:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~johanw/PhysFAQ/General/occam.html


I thought he could be knocking quantum due to its complexity.

 

[LudusRex]

I interpret this quote as Einstein emphasizing the importance of simplicity in scientific theories and explanations. He believed that the simplest explanation is often the most accurate and should be pursued, but not at the cost of oversimplifying or disregarding important details. In other words, while simplicity is valuable, it should not come at the expense of accuracy and completeness. Einstein's theory of relativity is a perfect example of this principle - it is a simple and elegant explanation for complex phenomena, but it still takes into account all the necessary factors and details. In science, it is important to continuously strive for simplicity, but not at the cost of sacrificing accuracy and thoroughness.