William of Ockam Quotes

What can be explained by the assumption of fewer things is vainly explained by the assumption of more things.

Most scientists like to operate in the context of economy. If you don't need an explanatory principle, don't invoke it.

In my view, the argument from parsimony is really no argument at all - it typically functions only to shut down more interesting discussion. If history is any guide, it's never a good idea to assume that a scientific problem is cornered.

The simplest explanation is always the most likely.

If I have learned anything as a scientist, it is that one should not make things complicated when a simple explanation will do.

Plurality should not be posited without necessity.

I think simplicity is a good guide: The more economical a theory, the better.

We are to admit no more causes of natural things than such as are both true and sufficient to explain their appearances.

A good theory explains a lot but postulates little.

Nature does nothing in vain when less will serve; for Nature is pleased with simplicity and affects not the pomp of superfluous causes.

It is better to adopt the simplest explanation, even if it is not simple, even if it does not explain very much. A bright light is not necessary, a taper is all one needs to live in strangeness, if it faithfully burns.

When multiple explanations exist, the simplest is usually correct.

No more things should be presumed to exist than are absolutely necessary.

It really comes down to parsimony, economy of explanation. It is possible that your car engine is driven by psychokinetic energy, but if it looks like a petrol engine, smells like a petrol engine and performs exactly as well as a petrol engine, the sensible working hypothesis is that it is a petrol engine.

It is vain philosophy that supposes more causes than are exactly adequate to explain the phenomena of things.

Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem

The quest for simplicity has to pervade every part of the process. It really is fundamental.

Adequacy is sufficient. All else is superfluous.

One real world is enough.

Nature...does not act by means of many things when it can do so by means of a few.

Life is being, not having.

Life just wants to be; but it doesn't want to be much.

Simplicity is a strict taskmaster.

I wear the same pants, same shirt and same shoes every day. I learned it from the greats, like Einstein. It's a uniform essentially.

I think we definitely want to focus on the simplicity aspect because it's something that's built into the culture even here at Twitter. Constraints inspire creativity.