Occam's Razor. A Cure for Overthinking

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

You can't find your house keys.

One explanation is that you simply misplaced them in your other jacket pocket.

A second explanation is that a cat burglar broke in, took only the keys as a form of psychological torment, and left without a trace.

Occam's Razor suggests you should check your other jacket before you call a detective.

What is Occam's Razor and how can it stop overthinking?

Occam's Razor is a principle of parsimony or intellectual elegance. It doesn't state that the simplest theory is always right, but rather that we should not invent unnecessary complexity.

If two theories explain the facts equally well, the one that requires you to believe fewer new, unproven things is the more logical choice. It's a powerful tool for "shaving away" convoluted explanations and focusing on the most probable cause, preventing us from chasing fantastical theories when a simple one will do.

This is a core principle for combating overthinking.

How can I apply this principle to my daily life?

When your car won't start, first check the battery and the fuel level before developing a theory that a rare electronic component has malfunctioned due to a solar flare.

Address the simplest and most likely explanations first.

While Occam's Razor helps you choose the simplest explanation, it is also important to consider the Law of Unintended Consequences, which highlights that even simple actions can have unforeseen ripple effects.

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