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Instances of using Occam's razor to justify belief in less complex and more simple theories have been criticized as using the razor inappropriately. For instance Francis Crick stated that "While Occam's razor is a useful tool in the physical sciences, it can be a very dangerous implement in biology.
William of Ockham was born in Ockham, Surrey, in 1287. [13] He received his elementary education in the London House of the Greyfriars. [14] It is believed that he then studied theology at the University of Oxford [7] [8] from 1309 to 1321, [15] but while he completed all the requirements for a master's degree in theology, he was never made a regent master. [16]
Hanlon's razor became well known after its inclusion in the Jargon File, a glossary of computer programmer slang, in 1990. [4] Later that year, the Jargon File editors noted lack of knowledge of the term's derivation and the existence of a similar epigram by William James, although this was possibly intended as a reference to William James Laidlay.
Occam's razor: explanations should never multiply causes without necessity. ("Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem.") When two or more explanations are offered for a phenomenon, the simplest full explanation is preferable. Named after William of Ockham (c. 1285–1349).
Occam's razor: Explanations which require fewer unjustified assumptions are more likely to be correct; avoid unnecessary or improbable assumptions. Popper's falsifiability criterion: For a theory to be considered scientific, it must be falsifiable. [7] Sagan standard: Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. [8]
The law of parsimony, or Occam's razor, a problem-solving principle Maximum parsimony (phylogenetics), an optimality criterion in phylogenetics; Parsimony Press, a fine press brand ran by typographer Robert Norton
Occam process, a method for the manufacture of populated, printed circuit boards; Ockham algebra, bounded distributive lattice with a dual endomorphism; Ockham Awards, annual awards by The Skeptic magazine; Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, a series of awards to works of New Zealand citizens; Ockham's Razor Theatre Company, an aerial theatre company
Occam's razor – the idea that explanatory mechanisms should not be posited without being necessary. Red herring – drawing attention to a certain element to mislead; Shaggy dog story – a long-winded anecdote designed to lure the audience into a false sense of expectation, only to disappoint them with an anticlimactic ending or punchline.