When a chemist puts water in a test tube and adds salt, an angel comes along and dissolves the salt into charged particles called ions. Because we perceive the universe to be self-governing according to internally consistent and comprehensible principles, the angel in this story seems completely superfluous to us. We therefore cut it away with Occam's razor.

Beyond Civilization

"I see," I said. "And what do you teach?"

"On the basis of my history, what subject would you say I was best qualified to teach?"

I blinked and told him I didn't know.

"Of course you do. My subject is: captivity."

Ishmael