Occam's razor
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In philosophy, Occam's razor is the problem-solving principle that recommends searching for explanations constructed with the smallest possible set of elements. It is also known as the principle of pa
Part of a page from John Duns Scotus's book Commentaria oxoniensia ad IV libros magistri Sententiarus, showing the words: "Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate", i.e., "Plurality is not to be posited without necessity"
Manuscript illustration of William of Ockham
Possible explanations can become needlessly complex. It might be coherent, for instance, to add the involvement of leprechauns to any explanation, but Occam's razor would prevent such additions unless they were necessary.
Andreas Cellarius's illustration of the Copernican system, from the Harmonia Macrocosmica (1660). Future positions of the sun, moon and other solar system bodies can be calculated using a geocentric model (the earth is at the centre) or using a heliocentric model (the sun is at the centre). Both work, but the geocentric model requires a much more complex system of calculations than the heliocentric model. This was pointed out in a preface to Copernicus's first edition of
Science
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Science is a systematic discipline that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable explanations about nature and society. It is driven by the scientific method: an empirical cycle that typ
Megaliths from Nabta Playa, constructed by Neolithic populations to coordinate astronomical observations located in Aswan, Upper Egypt.
The Plimpton 322 tablet by the Babylonians records Pythagorean triples, written c. 1800 BCE
Plato's Academy mosaic, made between 100 BCE and 79 CE, shows many Greek philosophers and scholars.
The first page of Vienna Dioscurides depicts a peacock, made in the 6th century.