‘Your theory isn’t complex enough’ isn’t a reasonable objection, in itself, to a moral theory. Rather, ‘value is complex’ is a universal reason to be less confident about all theories.
If I am sure that value is complex and I am given two theories, one of which is complex and the other simple, then I can be sure that the simple one is wrong. The other one is merely probably wrong (as most such theories are). “Too simple” is a valid objection if the premise “Not simple” is implied.
That’s assuming the two theories are being treated as perfected Grand Unified Theories Of The Phenomenon. If that’s the case, then yes, you can simply dismiss a purported Finished Product that is too simple, without even bothering to check on how accurate it is first. But we’re talking about preliminary hypotheses and approximate models here. If your first guess adds arbitrary complications just to try to look more like you think the Final Theory will someday appear, you won’t learn as much from the areas where your map fails. ‘Value is complex’ is compatible with the utility of starting with simple models, particularly since we don’t yet know in what respects it is complex.
If I am sure that value is complex and I am given two theories, one of which is complex and the other simple, then I can be sure that the simple one is wrong. The other one is merely probably wrong (as most such theories are). “Too simple” is a valid objection if the premise “Not simple” is implied.
That’s assuming the two theories are being treated as perfected Grand Unified Theories Of The Phenomenon. If that’s the case, then yes, you can simply dismiss a purported Finished Product that is too simple, without even bothering to check on how accurate it is first. But we’re talking about preliminary hypotheses and approximate models here. If your first guess adds arbitrary complications just to try to look more like you think the Final Theory will someday appear, you won’t learn as much from the areas where your map fails. ‘Value is complex’ is compatible with the utility of starting with simple models, particularly since we don’t yet know in what respects it is complex.