William of Occam

William of Occam was a 14th-century English philosopher and theologian best known for Occam's Razor, a problem-solving principle that suggests the simplest explanation is often the best. This means when faced with competing hypotheses, we should not make more assumptions than necessary. Occam believed that unnecessary complexities should be avoided, particularly in explaining natural phenomena or theological issues. His ideas influenced various fields, including science and philosophy, promoting clarity and parsimony in reasoning, which continues to be relevant in modern discourse and scientific inquiry.