Occam's Razor
3
8.0
- noun
- /ˈɑːkəmz ˈreɪzər/
:
navaja de Occam
- Occam's Razor: The simplest solution that fits the facts is the solution.
- known as Occam's Razor
Examples
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I am no fan of conspiracy theories, and I think Occam's Razor usually does supply the best explanation.
Blog text (7) -
Remember Occam's Razor: the simplest explanation that best fits all the evidence is most likely the correct one.
Blog text (12) -
Besides, Occam's Razor is a key scientific principle.
Academic text (2011) -
I mostly agree with you; however, it depends on how we interpret Occam's Razor in this case.
Blog text (32) -
At this point, I think one should invoke an old philosophical principle known as Occam's Razor, which has several forms, the most useful in the present case being the rule that when one must choose between two or more conflicting theories that attempt to explain a phenomenon, one had best choose the simplest one, or at least that explanation with the most supporting evidence.
Academic text (1996) -
Occam's Razor suggests that when analyzing a problem, the simplest explanation is likely the correct one.
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In scientific debates, we often apply Occam's Razor to eliminate unnecessary assumptions.
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Many researchers rely on Occam's Razor to formulate hypotheses without complicating their theories.
Synonyms
A rule that prefers the simplest explanation when other facts are equal
An idea that, among different explanations, you should choose the simplest one
A rule that says to choose the simplest explanation with the fewest assumptions
How Simple
Surface Forms
Morphology
Occam's + Razor
This is a named philosophical principle (from William of Occam) whose meaning — that the simplest explanation is usually best — cannot be deduced by a B1 learner from the parts 'Occam's' (a proper name) and 'razor' (a shaving tool) without prior cultural or disciplinary knowledge. Although 'razor' can metaphorically suggest 'cutting away' unnecessary assumptions, that metaphorical mapping and the historical reference are not predictably transparent to learners, making it idiomatic.
Etymology
Occam's Razor is named after the thinker William of Ockham and uses the image of a razor that 'cuts away' extra ideas. So the phrase reminds us to choose the 'simplest' explanation instead of adding many extra parts.