Occam’s Razor
law of parsimony
Occam’s Razor is a principle attributed to William of Ockham, a 14th-century English logician and Franciscan friar, which states that when there are multiple explanations for a phenomenon or event, the simplest explanation is usually the best one. This principle states that we should prefer the explanation that makes fewest assumptions and that has the fewest moving parts. It generally means that, when faced with multiple competing hypotheses, one should select the hypothesis that makes the fewest assumptions and offers the simplest explanation for the data.
In essence, Occam’s Razor is a tool used in scientific reasoning or problem-solving. It suggests that complicated explanations should be avoided, and simpler, more straightforward ones should be preferred, as they are most likely to be correct. However, it’s important to note that simple explanations aren’t always the correct ones, and that sometimes a more complex explanation might be more accurate or comprehensive.
Overall, Occam’s Razor serves as a guiding principle in helping scientists and researchers formulate hypotheses or theories that are parsimonious, clear and can account for the available evidence while avoiding superfluous assumptions.
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