Occam's razor:

1. image at: ww.butterflyeffect.ca/.../OccamsRazor.htmlRemove frame Occam's razor: states that the explanation of any phenomenon should make as few assumptions as possible, eliminating those that make no difference to any observable predictions of the theory

2. Basically it says that explanations must not include elements that have nothing to do with the phenomenon under analysis. …not as often stated: “The simplest explanation is the correct one" As it is not about simplicity or complexity William of Occam 1288 - 1348

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5. Occam's razor (sometimes spelled Ockham's razor) is a principle attributed to the 14th-century English logician and Franciscanfriar, William of Ockham. The principle states that the explanation of any phenomenon should make as few assumptions as possible, eliminating those that make no difference in the observable predictions of the explanatory hypothesis or theory.

6. Occam's Razor is probably one of the most misused, maligned and over-quoted theories on the web today. The original Latin states "Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate" (Plurality should not be posited without necessity) This means “One should not increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything.” In its simplest form, Occam's Razor states that one should make no more assumptions than needed. This is referred to as the law of parsimony. Over the centuries, this little equation has endured, and is now usually stated as: “Of two equivalent theories or explanations, all other things being equal, the simpler one is to be preferred.” (or believed). The simplest explanation is the best When multiple explanations are available fo

7. This is often paraphrased as "All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best." In other words, when multiple competing theories are equal in other respects, the principle recommends selecting the theory that introduces the fewest assumptions and postulates the fewest entities. It is in this sense that Occam's razor is usually understood.

8. This is, however, incorrect. Occam's razor is not concerned with the simplicity or complexity of a good explanation as such; it only demands that the explanation be free of elements that have nothing to do with the phenomenon (and the explanation).

9. This is, however, incorrect. Occam's razor is not concerned with the simplicity or complexity of a good explanation as such; it only demands that the explanation be free of elements that have nothing to do with the phenomenon (and the explanation). Occam's Razor So there are now two possible explanations for complex designs. Either they were designed by God, or by cumulative natural selection. Which explanation should we prefer? Whenever there is more than one possible explanation for something, there is a simple rule of thumb that we should use to decide which is the right explanation .... The rule is called "Occam's Razor" after Willium of Occam (c. 1285 -1347). Natural Selection is much simpler explanation than devine creation because it only requires us to believe in things that we already know about. No supernatural being is needed.

10. Occam's razor (sometimes spelled Ockham's razor) is a principle attributed to the 14th-century English logician and Franciscanfriar, William of Ockham. The principle states that the explanation of any phenomenon should make as few assumptions as possible, eliminating those that make no difference in the observable predictions of the explanatory hypothesis or theory. The principle is often expressed in Latin as the lex parsimoniae ("law of parsimony" or "law of succinctness"): "entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem", roughly translated as "entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity". An alternative version "Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate" translates "plurality should not be posited without necessity". [1] This is often paraphrased as "All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best." In other words, when multiple competing theories are equal in other respects, the principle recommends selecting the theory that introduces the fewest assumptions and postulates the fewest entities. It is in this sense that Occam's razor is usually understood. This is, however, incorrect. Occam's razor is not concerned with the simplicity or complexity of a good explanation as such; it only demands that the explanation be free of elements that have nothing to do with the phenomenon (and the explanation). Originally a tenet of the reductionist philosophy of nominalism, it is more often taken today as an heuristicmaxim (rule of thumb) that advises economy, parsimony, or simplicity, often or especially in scientific theories. Here the same caveat applies to confounding topicality with mere simplicity. (A superficially simple phenomenon may have a complex mechanism behind it. A simple explanation would be simplistic if it failed to capture all the essential and relevant parts.)