# Occam’s Razor

Among competing hypotheses that predict equally well, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected.

Among competing hypotheses that predict equally well, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected.

### Takeaways

-   The best method for reducing complexity is to avoid it in the first place.

-   Analyze each element and remove as many as possible, without compromising the overall function.

-   Consider completion only when no additional items can be removed.

### Origins

  Occam’s razor (also Ockham’s razor; Latin: lex parsimoniae "law of parsimony") is a problem-solving principle that, when presented with competing hypothetical answers to a problem, one should select the one that makes the fewest assumptions. The idea is attributed to William of Ockham (c. 1287–1347), who was an English Franciscan friar, scholastic philosopher, and theologian.

  Source

### Further Reading

###
    How to Use Occam’s Razor Without Getting Cut

  Farnam Street

###
    Designing with Occam’s Razor

  Jon Yablonski | Medium

###
    Occam’s Razor: The Simplest Solution is Always the Best

  Mads Soegaard | Interaction Design Foundation

###
    Complexity Bias: Why We Prefer Complicated to Simple

  Farnam Street

###
    Occam’s Razor: A Great Principle for Designers

  Web Designer Depot

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Source: https://lawsofux.com/occams-razor/
Category: Theory
Tags: research