Most people try to avoid Occam’s razor as what it often reveals is painful.
There might be quite a few reasons why folks sometimes steer clear of using Occam’s razor in certain situations, whether they’re aware of it or not:
- Cognitive biases: Humans are prone to cognitive biases that can lead to faulty reasoning. These biases may cause people to prefer complex explanations because they seem more impressive or intellectually stimulating, even if they lack empirical evidence.
- Emotional attachment: Individuals may be emotionally attached to a particular belief or explanation, and therefore resist adopting a simpler alternative, even if it is more likely to be correct. This attachment can make it difficult for them to objectively evaluate different explanations.
- Lack of information or knowledge: Sometimes, people may not have access to all the relevant information or possess the necessary knowledge in a particular field. In such cases, they may resort to more complex explanations due to a lack of understanding or awareness of simpler alternatives.
- Overcomplication for personal gains: In some instances, individuals may deliberately introduce unnecessary complexity to obscure the truth or manipulate others for personal gain. This can be seen in various fields, such as politics, marketing, or pseudoscience.
- Desire for uniqueness: People may also avoid Occam’s razor because they want to propose unique or groundbreaking ideas. By presenting complex explanations, they may believe they are offering a novel perspective or approach, even if it lacks sufficient evidence.