Ockham’s Razor is a principle espoused by William of Ockham in the fifteenth century that translates as "entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily". In other words, if you have two theories that are both consistent with the observed facts, then you should use the simplest theory, unless and until evidence to the contrary is revealed.
For any given set of facts there are an infinite number of theories that could explain them. For example, if you have a graph with four points in a line, then the simplest theory that explains them is a linear relationship. You could draw an infinite number of different curves that all pass through the four points, and there is no proof that a straight line is the right one. However, it is the simplest possible solution. Therefore, you might as well use it until someone comes along with a point that is not on the line.
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I like Ockham's Razor, too. I try to remind my hypochondriac partner of it when he is dreaming up complicated and scary explanations for a transient pain in his side.
I would tell him not to worry until the pain stops being transient.
I find that it's not always obvious what the simplest explanation is. There can be disagreement. For instance, to fundamentalist Christians, the simplest explanation for the fossil record is not evolution by natural selection, but that God is an arbitrary S.O.B. who fills the world with random crap for us to try to explain.
You have a point, Glen. I should have clarified that I like Ockham's Razor as it applies to the realm of science and engineering, not the realm of ignorance and superstition.
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