Razor Attribute Quotes & Sayings

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.2 — Steven Pinker

Explanations involving conspiracy, greed, and even stupidity are easier to generate and accept than more complex explanations that may be closer to the truth.

A bit of wisdom called Hanlon's Razor advises us 'Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.' I would add a clumsier but more accurate corollary to this: 'Never attribute to malice or stupidity that which can be explained by moderately rational individuals following incentives in a complex system of interactions.' People behaving with no central coordination and acting in their own best interest can still create results that appear to some to be clear proof of conspiracy or a plague of ignorance. — Douglas W. Hubbard

Focke's razor: Never attribute to plot holes that which is adequately explained by miracles. — Kevin Focke