The Influence of Naturalness and Simplicity in Physics

Physicists often prioritize naturalness and simplicity when developing theories, aiming for elegant and beautiful explanations. While they may not explicitly mention beauty in their academic papers, popular science books and communication to a general audience often present theories as elegant and beautiful, emphasizing the importance of aesthetics in theoretical physics. However, some physicists caution against relying on metaphysical criteria such as beauty and aesthetics, highlighting the importance of evidence-based reasoning.