Occam's Razor is the principle that "entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily." The principle states that the explanation of any phenomenon should make as few assumptions as possible, eliminating those that make no difference in the observable predictions of the explanatory hypothesis or theory.
Ockham is also important contributor to the development of Western constitutional ideas, especially those of government with limited responsibility. He was one of the first medieval authors to advocate a form of church/state separation, and was important for the early development of the notion of property rights. His political ideas are regarded as "natural" or "secular", holding for a secular absolutism. The views on monarchical accountability greatly influenced the Conciliar movement and assisted in the emergence of liberal democratic ideologies.
"We are to admit no more causes of natural things than such as are both true and sufficient to explain their appearances." Isaac Newton
