ABSTRACT
Berger (1992, 64) list other restatements of Ockham’s razor: “Entities should not be multiplied without necessity; it is vain to do with more what can be done with less; an explanation of the facts should be no more complicated than necessary … among competing hypotheses, favor the simplest one.” These authors state, “Ockham’s razor has proved to be an effective device for trimming away unprofitable lines of inquiry, and scientists use it every day, even when they do not cite it explicitly.” [after William of Ockham, 1300?–1349?, English Franciscan and scholastic philosopher]
1. A substance’s quality that renders it perceptible to one’s sense of smell (olfaction) (Oxford English Dictionary 1972, entries from 1300). syn. scent, smell; sometimes a sweet scent, pleasing scent; fragrance (Oxford English Dictionary 1972)
2. A substance that emits a sweet smell or scent; a perfume; especially incense, spice, ointment, etc. (Oxford English Dictionary 1972, entries from 1388).
