A mental model or heuristic, attributed to 14th century philosopher William of Ockham (Occam). It suggests that, all else being equal, we should adopt the simplest solution to a problem or hypothesis.
Definition: A mental model often stated as a rule "the simplest solution to a problem is the correct one".
Reference: Named after William of Ockham - 14th century philosopher.
Reference: Carl Sagan: "When faced with two hypotheses that explain the data equally well, choose the simpler."
Reference: Einstein: everything should be made "as simple and as few as possible".
Reference: The popular myth told to illustrate Occam's razor: that NASA spent millions developing a pen that could work in space, the Russians used a pencil.
Reference: David Murray: In rocket science, the best solutions "use the least number of components to solve the greatest number of problems."
Reference: Michelangelo: "The sculptor arrives at his end by taking away what is superfluous."
Insight: Occam's razor should be used as a guiding principle, not a hard and fast rule. The principle is NOT for simplicity at all costs, rather a preference all else being equal.
Insight: In some cases, the more complex solution will lead to the better result.
Principle: Even when seeking simplicity, remain open to new facts that may complicate matters.
Definition: Less is more.
Reference: Named after English philosopher William Ockham (1285-1349).
Reference: In Latin it is read as: Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate "plurality should not be posited without necessity", meaning always do not make things more complex unless needed.
Reference: Often used in debates (by both sides) about the existence of God.
Insight: The fewer assumptions made, the fewer questionable assumptions there will be.
Insight: Also known as the principle of parsimony (being economical with resources), to mean "the simpler the explanation the better".
Insight: Occam's razor today is used as heuristic advice: more often than not, a theory that requires more or more complex assumptions will usually be wrong.
Definition: The simplest solution is usually best.
Insight: With an difficulty or challenge we should ask "What is the simplest and more direct way to solve the problem, or achieve the goal."
Reference: English philosopher William of Occam around 1340 devised a tool for decision making. "Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily" meaning the simplest solution is usually best.
Reference: Socrates: the most likely solution to a problem is probably the one with the fewest steps.
Definition: Where two or more hypotheses are given as explanation, it is reasonable to accept the simplest one, with the fewest unsupported assumptions.
Insight: The idea is that we should shave off any unnecessary assumptions from a theory.
Insight: Sometimes known as the principle of parsimony. Always choose the simplest explanation, all else being equal.
Insight: We should not assume that the simplest explanation is correct, just that it is more likely to be true, until there is more evidence.
Insight: In computer programming and other fields the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Stupid.
Reference: Named after William of Occam, 14th century philosopher.
Insight: Don't create a complicated theory, if a simpler one exists.
Reference: Attributed to William of Ockham, 14th century philosopher.
Reference: The rule of thumb is much older: Latin lex parsimonie, the law of parsimony.
Insight: Scientists regularly use Occam's razor with theories.
Reference: William of Occam: "it is vain to do with more what can be done with less".
Insight: Adam Smith's economics of individual self interest and the pursuit of wealth is an example of Occam's razor at play. Complexity was ironed out of economic theories.
Insight: Occam's razor is an important tool in science: it is sensible to adopt the simplest explanation until the evidence overpowers it.
Insight: It is best to cut out all the features of a theory that cannot be observed.
Key Insights & Principles
Problem Solving & Decision Making
We have a tendency to seek complexity.
All else being equal, the simple solution or theory is usually best.
We should not merely accept that the simplest explanation is true, just that it is more likely until there is more evidence.
Keep it simple
Even when seeking simplicity, remain open to new facts or solutions that may complicate things.
