William of Ockham

English Franciscan friar and philosopher who developed nominalism — the view that universals are merely names, not real entities — and is associated with the parsimony principle known as Ockham's Razor.

Ockham's Razor: do not multiply entities beyond necessity — the simplest explanation consistent with evidence is preferred. Nominalism: universals (like 'humanity') are not real entities but names — only individual things exist. Logic and epistemology: rigorous accounts of terms, propositions, and their truth conditions. Criticized papal political authority.