William of Ockham
English Franciscan friar and theologian (c.1287-1347) · United Kingdom · Academics
William of Ockham is read about 877 times a day, in 78 languages.
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Something wrong?A medieval friar whose name became a principle: cut away the unnecessary, favor the simplest answer. Occam's razor still slices through bad explanations seven centuries later.
Also in Deutsch
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William of Ockham
Cappellone degli spagnoli, via veritas 04
Andrea di bonaiuto, via veritas, chiesa trionfante 01
Españoles Via Veritas 02
Museo di santa maria novella, cappellone degli spagnoli, affreschi di andrea di bonaiuto 15
Cappellone degli spagnoli, via veritas 06
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Andrea di bonaiuto, via veritas, chiesa trionfante 08 (3x4 cropped)In their own words 2
, Logic is the most useful tool of all the arts. Without it no science can be fully known.
It is on account of theology alone that any assertion whatsoever should be called catholic or heretical.
About this person
Born around 1287 in a Surrey village, William of Ockham joined the Franciscans and built a career in scholastic philosophy that made him a lightning rod. His works on logic, physics, and theology put him at the center of the 14th century's fiercest intellectual and political fights. Fifteenth-century nominalists claimed him as a founder of their movement, drawn to his willingness to strip metaphysics down to what could be defended. He died in April 1347, likely a plague victim, but the methodological principle that carries his name outlasted every controversy he ever touched.
Academics from the United Kingdom 6
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