What is Occam’s Razor?
In philosophy, Occam’s razor (also spelled Ockham’s razor or Ocham’s razor; Latin: novacula Occami) is a problem-solving principle. It suggests finding explanations with the smallest number of elements. This problem-solving approach allows for easier analysis and understanding.
Many know this principle as the law of parsimony (Latin: lex parsimoniae). It is named after William of Ockham, a 14th-century English philosopher and theologian. The phrase, “Entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity,” is often associated with this principle. However, Occam never used these exact words. People often paraphrase it as “between two competing theories, prefer the simpler explanation.” This version expresses the core idea behind problem-solving with Occam’s Razor.
Occam’s razor advises that when one faces competing hypotheses that predict the same outcome and have equal explanatory power, one should choose the hypothesis with fewer assumptions. This problem-solving principle is not for deciding between hypotheses that make different predictions. In science, Occam’s razor serves as a helpful guideline in developing theoretical models, rather than as a strict rule for selecting among different models.
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Britannica: Occam’s Razor
American Association for the Advancement of Science: The Origin and Popular Use of Occam’s Razor discusses its problem-solving applications.
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