Never increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything.
William Of OckhamRead
God's existence cannot be deduced by reason alone.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The existence of God cannot be proven merely through logical reasoning.
William of Ockham suggests that rational thought and logical deduction are insufficient to establish the existence of God. This implies a limit to human understanding and reasoning in spiritual matters, indicating that faith or personal experience might play a significant role in such beliefs.
Themes
GodExistenceReasonFaithPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a philosophical debate on the nature of belief and existence.
More from William Of Ockham
All quotes βSimilar quotes
It may seem bizarre, but in my opinion science offers a surer path to God than religion.
Paul DaviesRead
[Government] regulation is an imperfect substitute for the accountability, and trust, built into a market in which food producers meet the gaze of eaters and vice versa.
Michael PollanRead
Am I alive and a reality, or am I but a dream?
Edgar Rice BurroughsRead
Jewish history turns out not to be an either/or story - as in, either pure Judaism detached from its surroundings or else assimilation - but rather, for the vast majority, the adventure of living in between.
Simon SchamaRead
I believe all Americans are born with certain inalienable rights. As a child of God, I believe my rights are not derived from the constitution. My rights are not derived from any government. My rights are not denied by any majority. My rights are because I exist. They were given to me and each of my fellow citizens by our creator, and they represent the essence of human dignity.
Joe BidenRead
The goal of life is not to have our lives mean something to ourselves. The goal of life is to have our lives mean something to others.
Simon SinekRead