Microlearning Lesson Plan: Occam’s Razor
*Category*: Psychology & Human Behavior

Lesson 1: Introduction & Fundamentals

*Objective*: Understand the definition and fundamental concept of Occam’s
Razor.

*Definition*: Occam’s Razor is a problem-solving principle that suggests
the simplest solution is often the best one. Originating in the medieval
philosopher William of Ockham, it emphasizes minimizing assumptions for
greater clarity and efficiency in decision-making.

*Key Concepts*:
– Simplicity in solutions
– Reduction of assumptions
– Basics of logical reasoning

*Resources*:
– *Articles*:
– [Occam’s Razor – Definition and examples — Conceptually](
conceptually.org/concepts/occams-razor)
– [Occam’s Razor – Wikipedia](en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor)
– *Videos*:
– [What is Occam’s Razor?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKaNshhK_ls)

*Activity/Reflection*:
Reflect on a recent decision you made. Identify the assumptions involved
and how you could have applied Occam’s Razor to simplify the decision
process.

*Key Takeaways*:
– Occam’s Razor is a principle advocating for simplicity.
– It is an intuitive guide for making efficient decisions by reducing
unnecessary assumptions.

Lesson 2: Practical Application & Techniques

*Objective*: Learn how to apply Occam’s Razor in real-world scenarios.

*Techniques*:
– Analyze business and daily life decisions using simplicity principles.
– Evaluate different hypotheses in situations by applying Occam’s Razor to
find the most straightforward approach.

*Resources*:
– *Articles*:
– [Simplify Decision Making with Razors](
www.chrishutchins.com/blog/decision-making-razors/)
– [Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessments: Occam’s Razor Does Not …](
www.bakerinstitute.org/research/sustainability-and-life-cycle-assessments-occams-razor-does-not-apply
)
– *Videos*:
– [Unlock Simpler Solutions with Occam’s Razor](
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BHZxXyue-8)

*Activity/Reflection*:
List current ongoing projects or tasks. Evaluate them through Occam’s Razor
lens to identify simplified solutions or approaches.

*Key Takeaways*:
– Occam’s Razor can be practically applied to both professional and
personal decision-making scenarios.
– By focusing on simplicity, efficiency in resolving problems can be
dramatically increased.

Lesson 3: Advanced Insights & Mastery

*Objective*: Develop advanced understanding and mastery of Occam’s Razor
application across complex environments.

*Insights*:
– Explore counterarguments: The simplest solution is not always correct due
to complexity in real-world settings.
– Advanced decision-making processes integrate Occam’s Razor with other
cognitive and evaluation techniques.

*Resources*:
– *Articles*:
– [Occam’s Razor: The Simplicity Principle in Decision-Making](
thegeekyleader.com/2025/05/25/occams-razor-the-simplicity-principle-in-decision-making/
)
– [What is Occam’s Razor? — updated 2025 | IxDF](
www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/occam-s-razor)
– *Videos*:
– [Understanding Occam’s Razor: Application in Everyday Life and Business](
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcQ4B2BXklI)

*Activity/Reflection*:
Consider a complex issue you or your organization faces and propose a
discussion on the balance between simplistic and detailed approaches.

*Key Takeaways*:
– Sometimes, complex issues require a more nuanced approach beyond Occam’s
Razor.
– Mastery of Occam’s Razor involves identifying when and how to apply the
principle effectively.

Assessment

1. *What is the main principle of Occam’s Razor?*
– A) Complexity over simplicity
– B) The more assumptions, the better
– C) The fewer assumptions, the better
– D) Always choose the most complex explanation
*Answer: C) The fewer assumptions, the better*

2. *Which area can Occam’s Razor be effectively used?*
– A) Only in scientific fields
– B) In both personal and professional decision-making
– C) Strictly in mathematics
– D) Only in organizational settings
*Answer: B) In both personal and professional decision-making*

3. *What is a potential critique of the Occam’s Razor principle?*
– A) It always provides the best solution
– B) It neglects simplicity
– C) Simplicity is not always correct in complex situations
– D) It involves too many assumptions
*Answer: C) Simplicity is not always correct in complex situations*

4. *Who originally formulated the Occam’s Razor?*
– A) Albert Einstein
– B) Leonardo da Vinci
– C) William of Ockham
– D) Isaac Newton
*Answer: C) William of Ockham*