Explain occums razor in laymens terms for me plz?

Question

Explain occums razor in laymens terms for me plz?

Answer 1

Try wikipedia.com for a complete answer if you really need to know.

Answer 2

Was named after a medieval thinker who first explained the theory.

In effect the theory is that the most simple reason for something happening is usually correct.

It is often used as a counter to the various conspiracy theories that are suggested as they tend to rely on complex occurrences and coincidences.

Answer 3

It's also called the law of parsimony.

I don't put complete faith in it, though, because sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

Answer 4

It's a general rule of thumb: when you have 2 explanations that fit the facts, it is better to go with the simpler one.

Example: you misplace your keys.

#1.  You put them somewhere and forgot where.

#2.  Space aliens teleported you into their spaceship, took your keys, and messed with your mind to make you forget.

Obviously, #2 is simpler.

Answer 5

When you are trying to explain a phenomenon, your explanations should use the least number of assumptions, hypothesis and causes as possible.

It is better explained here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_r...

or

http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/OCCAMRAZ.html