william of occam

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Definition
  1. Proper noun:
    • A 14th-century English Franciscan friar, scholastic philosopher, and theologian: William of Ockham (also spelled Occam) is a major figure in medieval thought, known for his contributions to logic, epistemology, and metaphysics. He is traditionally associated with the methodological principle known as "Occam's Razor."
Usage
  • Proper noun:
    • William of Occam argued for a radical separation of faith and reason.
    • The principle of parsimony is often attributed to William of Occam.
Advanced Usage
  • "Occam's Razor" (also "Ockham's Razor"): The philosophical and scientific principle that, among competing hypotheses, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. This is the concept most famously linked to William of Occam.
    • When faced with multiple explanations, scientists often apply Occam's Razor.
Variants and Related Words
  • Ockham, William of: An alternative spelling of his name and the town of his birth.
  • Occamist (adj): Relating to the philosophy or principles of William of Occam.
    • An Occamist approach to the problem simplified the debate.
  • Nominalism: The philosophical school with which William of Occam is strongly associated, which denies the existence of universal abstractions outside the mind.
Synonyms
  • William of Ockham: The most direct synonym, being an alternate spelling.
  • The Venerable Inceptor: A historical title sometimes used for him.
Related Phrases
  • "To apply Occam's Razor": To use the principle of parsimony in reasoning.
    • The detective applied Occam's Razor to solve the case.
Noun
  1. English scholastic philosopher and assumed author of Occam's Razor (1285-1349)