LAW OF PARSIMONY Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

law of parsimony

noun

Philosophy.

a principle according to which an explanation of a thing or event is made with the fewest possible assumptions.

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of law of parsimony¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A 14th-century philosopher and Franciscan friar, William is celebrated for developing the "law of parsimony," better known today as "Occam's razor."

From

Indeed, the law of parsimony should lead any scientist to conclude that putting the SKA in a single location would be much better than putting it in two locations six time zones apart.

From

We reject this third, because the Reason affirms it to be impossible; and because, being unnecessary, by the law of parsimony it should not be allowed.

From

It is what is known as the law of parsimony.

From

The propounder of natural selection might be expected to make the most of the principle, and to overwork the law of parsimony in its behalf.

From

Discover More

When To Use

What is the law of parsimony?

The law of parsimony is a principle that says that the best explanation is the one that requires you to make the fewest possible assumptions about what’s involved. Another way to say this is that the correct explanation or solution is usually the simplest.Parsimony means extreme frugality, or stinginess, and in this context it refers to being stingy with assumptions (by trying to avoid them). Law is used in the phrase to mean a rule or principle. The law of parsimony is also called Occam’s Razor, the law of economy, and the principle of economy.The law of parsimony is a general principle of logic, but most often you’ll see it used in discussions of complex scientific concepts, such as the theory of evolution.

law of nature law of proximity

Browse