Occam’s Razor, also known as the principle of parsimony or the principle of simplicity, is a logical rule stating that when two explanations are available for a phenomenon, the simpler one is more likely to be correct.
Formulated by the medieval English philosopher Ockham, the principle rests on the idea that, all things being equal, the simplest explanation is preferable, since it does not require introducing unnecessary factors or abstract entities.
Occam’s Razor is widely applied across philosophy, science, and the scientific method as a heuristic for problem-solving and hypothesis generation. For example: if a plant fails to grow, one might hypothesize that it lacks sufficient water or that it is infested with parasites. According to Occam’s Razor, the simpler explanation—that the plant is not getting enough water—is more likely, as it does not posit additional causes such as pests.