Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A rule in science and philosophy stating that entities should not be multiplied needlessly. This rule is interpreted to mean that the simplest of two or more competing theories is preferable and that an explanation for unknown phenomena should first be attempted in terms of what is already known.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun the principle that entities should not be multiplied needlessly; the simplest of two competing theories is to be preferred
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[After William of Ockham.]
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Examples
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Louises commented on the word Ockham's razor
But there was the cynic's version of Ockham's razor: all things being equal the shittiest. Explanation's the best. From "The Last Werewolf" by Glen Duncan.
March 29, 2012