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William of Ockham (c. 1285—1349) philosopher, theologian, and political theorist

nominalism

parsimony principle

simplicity

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Occam's razor


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The principle (attributed to the English philosopher and Franciscan friar William ofOccam, c. 1285–1349) that in explaining a thing no more assumptions should be made than are necessary. The principle is often invoked to defend reductionism or nominalism.


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