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Occam's razor

Meaning in philosophy, with examples

/ˌɒkəmz ˈreɪzə/nounCommon term

In philosophy, Occam's razor means: The principle that we should not assume more entities or causes than we need: among competing explanations, prefer the simplest one that works.

In Turkish: Ockham'ın usturası, Occam'ın usturası, tutumluluk ilkesi

How it is used

Named after the fourteenth-century philosopher William of Ockham, although its best-known wording came later. Also called the principle of parsimony. It is a rule of thumb for choosing between theories, not a proof that the simplest theory is true.

Example sentences

  1. By Occam's razor, we shouldn't posit ghosts if a draft explains the creaking door.

  2. Physicalists often appeal to Occam's razor in arguments against dualism.

Common collocations

  • apply Occam's razor
  • principle of parsimony
  • the simplest explanation
  • Ockham's razor
  • ontologyThe part of metaphysics that studies what exists and what basic kinds of things there are, such as objects, properties, events or numbers.
  • positTo put forward something as true or as existing, usually as the basis for an argument or to explain something, without first proving it.
  • inferenceThe step of reasoning from one or more statements to another, or the conclusion that is reached by taking that step.
  • physicalismThe view that everything that exists is physical or depends entirely on the physical, so that the mind is ultimately part of the physical world.

More terms: Key Thinkers' Concepts

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