What is Occam's Razor?

Question

I am aware that is is a theory but what is it saying?

Answer 1

The rule that one should not introduce complexities unless absolutely necessary. “It is vain to do more what can be done with less,” according to William of Occam (or Ockham) of England in the early 1300s. Occam’s razor applies to theories about phenomena and methods.

Answer 2

It is the theory that accepts the most rational answer as the truth. For example, say you see that you had a doughnut on the table and you went to sleep, and when you woke up it was gone. We could say that aliens took the doughnut or just use Occam's Razor and say that it was probably your hungry brother's breakfast.

Answer 3

Occam's Razor (also spelt 'Ockham') is the principle of ontological economy, usually formulated as 'Entities are not to be multiplied beyond necessity' (Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem). Bear in mind that these actual words are not in fact to be found in the extant works of William of Ockham. Hope that helps.

Answer 4

This is often paraphrased as "All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best."


When you hear hoof pounding, think horses...not zebras.


Horses would be the easy answer for running hoofed animal...how many zebras do you know presonally?

Answer 5

one should not increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything.

edit: meaning, the simplest explanation is usually the most likely.

Answer 6

Other things being equal, the simplest explanation is preferred.