Of possible explanations a) The dog tipped the trash can over, or b) Someone broke into the house and sorted through the trash can, explanation “a” is more likely.
... and of course then we get even MORE posts that would make ol’ Friar William of Ockham roll over in his grave, and likely deserve addition to a list of examples of Occam’s Razor.* I sometimes wonder if some of our posters are self aware.
*Some of these are pretty good & make for a much needed smile:
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“Some examples of Occam’s razor include the following:
• One of the fence posts is broken.
Of possible explanations a) An albino moose, lost on its quest for its squirrel best friend, crashed through the fence in despair, or b) An old nail rusted through, “b” is more likely.
• The tire on the car is flat.
Of possible explanations a) The screw stuck in the tire wall let the air out, or b) Serial tire-flatteners sliced it open with a laser scalpel, creating an imperceptible hole, then inserted the screw in another part of the tire to mark their victory, explanation “a” is more likely.
• It is raining and I saw a bright flash through my curtains.
Of possible explanations a) lightning, or b) UFOs are trying to pull my roof off, explanation “a” is more likely.
• A student failed the statistics test.
Of possible explanations a) The student needed to study harder, or b) Malicious textbook publishers put wrong answers in the study guide in hopes of sabotaging future statisticians, explanation “a” is more likely.
• A car rear-ended another in highway traffic during rush hour.
Of possible explanations a) The driver was distracted by the phone in his hand, or b) The driver was distracted by an elephant on the side of the road, which ran away before anyone else could see it, explanation “a” is more likely.
• A loud noise is heard in an apartment that is next to a busy highway.
Of possible explanations a) The surface of the highway cracked due to an unprecedented volcanic event, or b) A truck backfired, explanation “b” is more likely.
• A man has sent several text messages to his wife over the course of a day, and she has not responded.
Of possible explanations a) her phone ran out of battery, or b) she is maliciously ignoring him in revenge for an error on his part that he cannot remember, explanation “a” is more likely.
• A woman is nauseous several hours after eating at a restaurant.
Of possible explanations a) She may have food poisoning or b) Her long-dormant fetal twin has awakened and begun to move, explanation “a” is more likely.
• A roast beef in the oven burns to a crisp after being in the oven for only one hour.
Of possible explanations a) A sleepwalking neighbor came into the house and turned up the oven temperature, or b) The oven’s temperature gauge is wrong, explanation “b” is more likely.
• A dog owner comes home to the trash can tipped over and trash is scattered on the floor.
Of possible explanations a) The dog tipped the trash can over, or b) Someone broke into the house and sorted through the trash can, explanation “a” is more likely.
• A ball rolls out into the road in a residential area in front of a man’s car.
Of possible explanations a) Some children are playing ball and it accidentally rolled into the road, or b) Some children are rolling balls into the road deliberately, in hopes of wrecking cars and looting the remains to prop up their tottering lemonade business, explanation “a” is more likely.”
https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-occam-s-razor.html
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Well, ok, the one about the wife might be 50/50.
In police work, however, the Occam’s Razor principle is that the best solution is the one that involves the least amount of investigation.
Of possible explanations a) The dog tipped the trash can over, or b) Someone broke into the house and sorted through the trash can, explanation “a” is more likely.