What is Occam's razor?

"Occam's razor" (The law of sufficient reason) - a methodological principle, known by the name of the English Franciscan monk, philosopher nominalists William of Ockham (Ockham, Ockam, Occam; approx. 1285 - 1349), in a simplified form reads: "We should not multiply exists without the need for "(or" should not attract new entity without the extreme need for it "). This principle forms the basis of methodological reductionism, also called the principle of frugality, or the law of economy. In the edition «Ockam. Philosophical Writings. A Selection Edited and Translated by hilotheus Boehner »(New York, 1957) an expert on the history of medieval philosophy Filoteus Benería reports that most" Occam's Razor "is given by the author in this formulation:" No need to say should not be much "(Latin Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate). More specifically Occam put it this way: "... plurality should never be assumed without necessity ... [but] all that can be explained from the difference between matter on several grounds - the same can be explained equally well or even better with a single base. Sometimes the principle is expressed in the words "That can be explained by the smaller, should not be expressed through greater" (Latin Frustra fit per plura quod potest fieri per pauciora). This usually cited by historians of the phrase "should not multiply entities without necessity" (Latin Entia non sunt multiplicanda sine necessitate) the works of Ockham does not occur. However, what is called "Occam's Razor, Occam was not drafted, he only voiced the principle, known since the days of Aristotle and the logic of which is known as the" law of sufficient reason. " Examples • Among the most famous examples of application of this principle is the answer that the creator of the first theory of the solar system, a mathematician and physicist Laplace gave the Emperor Napoleon. Napoleon supposedly said (in jest, half seriously): "Something I do not see in your theory of place for God." What Laplace, allegedly replied: "Sire, I had no need of that hypothesis. • When students were asked to Plato's definition of man, the greatest philosopher said: "Man is an animal on two legs, devoid of feathers. Hearing this, Diogenes caught the rooster, plucked it, and bringing to the Academy, said: "This is Plato's man!". After that Plato was forced to add to his definition: "And with broad nails". • Redraft the language of information theory, the principle of "Occam's Razor" states that the most accurate message is a message of minimal length. (Wikipedia - http://ru.wikipedia.org/) William of Ockham William of Ockham (c. 1285 - 1349), English philosopher and theologian, a Franciscan monk. While studying at Oxford, joined the Franciscan Order. After graduation remained in Oxford to teach theology and philosophy. With virtuoso skills in the dialectic he received from the students nicknamed «Doctor invincibilis» (invincible Teacher). As a political writer Ockham opposed absolutism of church and secular authorities, defended the principle of "evangelical poverty", thus anticipating in many respects the ideas of the Reformation. In 1323 in connection with the accusation of heresy (for speaking out about the primacy of secular authority over the power of the Pope), Pope John XXII was confined in a prison in Avignon, where he remained for 4 years. In 1328 he escaped to Germany to the enemy the Pope, the Emperor Louis IV of Bavaria, who, according to legend, said: "Defend me with a sword, but I will defend your pen!". He was excommunicated from the church. Based in Munich, Ockham remained there until his death. (Adapted from "Great Soviet Encyclopedia" and "Great Encyclopedia of Cyril and Methodius") Ockham the opinion that "the simplest explanation - the best". Simply, the meaning of "Occam's razor" is sometimes explained as follows: in any theory (hypothesis, reasoning) should avoid creating new concepts, terms, definitions, etc. Indeed, if you can get by without them. Why Razor? Because it cuts too much! In addition to philosophers, Occam's razor is sometimes recall poets and writers, such as brothers Strugackie mention her in his novels "Beetle in the Anthill" and "Find purpose, or Twenty-seventh theorem of ethics. In the novel by Dan Brown "Deception Point" is given such an interpretation "Occam's Razor" ( "the law of economy"): "If there are explanations for some problems, right is usually the simplest." Let's not multiply entities without an absolute necessity!