Philosophical Razors

What are philosophical razors and why are they important for critical thinking?

A philosophical razor is a tool used in philosophy and critical thinking to help simplify an argument or theory. Razors are principles or rules of thumb that allow you to eliminate unlikely explanations for a phenomenon or avoid unnecessary actions.

The razor gets its name from the analogy of shaving with a sharp blade. Just as a razor removes unwanted hair, a philosophical razor helps by removing any unnecessary arguments or complexities from an idea or theory.

"A razor ‘shaves off’ unnecessary assumptions." ~ Gabriel Weinberg & Lauren McCann

★ Reminder: The simplest explanation (Occam's Razor) is not always the best..

• Compare: Occam's Butterknife