TB: Occam's Razor
Definition
Among competing explanations that equally fit the evidence, prefer the one with the fewest assumptions. Attributed to William of Ockham (14th century). The simpler explanation is not necessarily correct, but it is the default prior until evidence demands additional complexity.
Why it matters
Complexity is easy to generate and hard to falsify. Occam's Razor is a heuristic for disciplined parsimony — it keeps models testable and conclusions honest. In science, the razor pushes toward minimal free parameters; in everyday reasoning, it guards against conspiracy thinking and over-elaboration.
Examples from reading
No reading examples yet — will populate as books are ingested.