[Part 1] 30 powerful razors to help you out with your decisions in life.

A 'razor' is a rule of thumb to simplify decision-making.

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

—Maya Angelou

The origin of the term ‘razor’ comes from philosophy, where the principles allows you to cut out the unlikely explanations and dismiss unnecessary steps. They’re referred to as philosophical razors.

Simply saying, razors are short rules that help you cut away confusion and simplify decision-making. They don’t give you a perfect answer, but they point you in the best direction fast.

As humans are wired to take shortcuts, think of it as a mental shortcut used in the right way.

Without any further explanations, here are the razors I was talking about…

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Note: Do not miss any “When applied practically” sections to understand the razors clearly.

1. Occam’s Razor (Principle of Parsimony)

Simple Assumptions > Complex assumptions

Occam’s razor principle is often attributed to 14th-century friar William of Ockham. The principle says that if you have two competing ideas to explain the same phenomenon, you should prefer going with the simpler one.

This principle is often used in scientific and philosophical discussions to guide decision-making, problem-solving, and theory development.

When applied practically:

You are debating why you're not getting responses from job applications.

• Option A: Your resume or portfolio needs work.

• Option B: Recruiters are biased, algorithms are rigged, or your college tier is blocking you.

Apply the Razor: Start with Option A. It’s simpler, testable, and likely. Improve your resume, get feedback, and reapply.

"Among competing explanations, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected.”

2. Hanlon’s Razor (Philosophical razor)

Hanlon’s razor principle is a philosophical razor named after Robert J. Hanlon, an American author, who mentioned it in a book called Murphy’s Law.

The principle says that “never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.” In simple terms, it says when assessing someone’s actions, we shouldn’t assume negative intent when alternative explanations with other different beliefs, lack of intelligence, ignorance, or incompetence are there.

This principle often applies to politics, relationships, and general online discourses.

When applied practically:

A friend or colleague didn't reply to your important message.

You assume they are ignoring you or being rude. But Hanlon’s Razor suggests maybe they were just busy or forgot.

Apply the Razor: Don’t jump to conclusions or create stories. Ask once, clarify, and don’t fuel resentment.

“Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.”

3. Hitchens’s Razor (Newton’s flaming laser sword)

Hitchens’ razor is an epistemological razor created and named for Christopher Hitchens. It serves as a general rule for rejecting certain knowledge claims. The principle says that what can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.

It basically is if something cannot be proved with a reasonable experiment or observation, it’s not worth crying for. It’s not worth debating.

This razor is used to emphasize the importance of evidence and reasoning in discussions or debates and not being indulged when there’s no such importance.

When applied practically:

Someone claims, “This productivity hack will double your success overnight.”

No data, no context, just viral hype.

Apply the Razor: Don’t waste time disproving it. If no evidence is offered, you don’t need to disprove it—just move on.

"Anything asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence."

4. Feynman’s Razor (Learn complex topics)

Feynman's razor principle is inspired by the famous physicist Richard Feynman. Basically, the principle revolves around learning complex topics in a simple way and explaining them in a simpler way.

The idea is if you can’t explain it to a 5-year-old, you don’t really understand it. Someone who uses a lot of jargon and complexity to explain something might not understand the topic themselves.

The principle emphasizes the clarity of understanding in any field of learning.

When applied practically:

You’re learning Machine Learning and trying to grasp how a decision tree works.

Apply the Razor: If you can’t teach it in simple words (as if to a beginner), go back to basics. Learn by explaining—like using the Feynman Technique.

"If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough."

5. Rooms Razor (Growth razor)

Rooms razor simply states that when you have to choose between two rooms, choose the room where you’re more likely to be the dumbest one.

This principle puts you in the learning zone where growth happens, and that is why it is also called the growth razor.

The principle emphasizes one’s learning and growth.

When applied practically:

You’re choosing between attending a casual peer study group or a tech meet-up full of experts.

Apply the Razor: Choose the intimidating room—it will stretch you and accelerate learning, even if it feels uncomfortable.

"Spend time in rooms where you're the least knowledgeable person."

6. Uphill (Naval’s) Razor

Easy choices —> Hard life
Hard choices —> Easy life

Uphill razor is a principle adapted from Naval ravikant, a venture capitalist. The principle states that when faced with two options, choose the one that's more difficult in the short term for long-term gains.

This principle can help you build skills and resilience, which leads to personal and professional growth.

When applied practically:

Option A: Take an easy summer internship at a family friend’s company.
Option B: Build your own project and document it publicly.

Apply the Razor: Option B is tougher now but builds long-term skills, visibility, and confidence. Go uphill.

"When faced with two paths, choose the one that’s harder in the short term but better in the long term."

7. Sagan’s standard Razor (related to Hitchens’s)

ECREE: Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Sagan’s standard, named for the science communicator Carl Sagan. It is similar to Hitchens’s razor. It states that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Which means if one is claiming something big to be true, then it requires bigger evidence to prove it.

This principle emphasizes making better decisions when it comes to trusting something extraordinary.

When applied practically:

An online ad says, "This pill will boost your IQ by 50 points!"

Apply the Razor: The claim is huge. So demand massive proof (peer-reviewed studies, expert validation). If it’s missing, it's probably bullshit.

"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."

8. Affect heuristic awareness(Cognitive razor)

Affect heuristic is a principle that allows people to solve problems quickly and efficiently, in which current emotion—fear, pleasure, surprise, etc.—influences decisions.

This principle is used in decision-making that relies on current emotions rather than objective analysis.

When applied practically:

You just failed an exam and are considering quitting your subject.

Apply this heuristic awareness: Don’t decide anything major when emotions are high. Pause. Re-evaluate after a few days.

"Emotional states can distort one’s judgment."

9. Discomfort Razor (related to uphill and rooms razors)

Discomfort razor comes from the essence of Tim Ferris, author of 4-Hour Workweek. It tells that the number of uncomfortable conversations one’s willing to have will lead to real success in life.

This can be turned down to any comfort of life—the more comfortable you are with it, the more static it becomes. Growth never happens here.

When applied practically:

You’ve been offered to speak in front of your college crowd about a topic you know well.

Apply the Razor: It’s scary, yes—but that’s where growth is. Say yes.

"If it scares you (and it’s not dangerous), it's probably the right path."

10. Grice’s Razor (related to Hanlon’s razor)

Grice’s razor, also known as Guillaume’s razor and as a principle of parsimony, says that most people are bad at expressing themselves, so don’t interpret their way as a different meaning in conversations.

This is a principle where one can decide whether the person is worth having a conversation with, or if they are just bad at communication.

When applied practically:

A friend replies to your heartfelt message with “Cool.”

Apply the Razor: Don’t assume they’re cold. Maybe they were distracted or unsure how to respond. Give benefit of the doubt.

"Assume the most reasonable interpretation of what someone said."

11. Alder’s Razor (related to Newton’s flaming laser sword)

Alder’s razor principle states that if something can’t be tested or proven with facts, don’t waste time debating it. It doesn’t matter to argue about things that are out of the world and not in your hands to explain. It only derails you.

When applied practically:

Your friend says:

“I think the universe is secretly controlled by an invisible alien race.”

Apply the razor: You don’t need to argue. Just move on. Focus on what you can see, test, or act on. Don’t waste time on what can’t be proven either way.

“If something can’t be tested or proven with facts, don’t waste time debating it.”

12. Reversibility Razor (Philosophical razor)

Reversibility razor is a philosophical razor, and its principle says that if a decision is hard to undo, think more carefully. The more careful you become with the decisions you can’t take back, the more fruitful it will be.

When applied practically:

You’re choosing between:

• Getting a tattoo

• Buying a new phone

Apply the razor: Buying a phone? Easy to undo. A tattoo? Not so much. The harder it is to reverse, the more you should pause.

“If a decision is hard to undo, think more carefully.”

13. Skin-in-the-game razor

Skin-in-the-game razor explains the principle itself. It says that trust advice who are affected by the results. Take advice from the people who have tasted the game, those who have experienced what they tell you.

When applied practically:

Two people give you stock advice:

• A YouTuber with 0 money in the market.

• A quiet investor who puts their own money in the stocks they talk about.

Apply the razor: Trust the one who shares the risk, not just the opinion.

“Trust advice from people who are affected by the results.”

14. Patton’s Razor (Philosophical razor)

Patton’s razor principle states that a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow. It says that taking actions on your average plan today or now is far better than taking action on a perfect plan tomorrow or never.

One can apply this razor when making a decision to act on ideas or when procrastinating to do the required work.

When applied practically:

You’re stuck on whether to start your blog now or wait 2 more months for the “perfect idea.”

Apply the razor: Start now. Learn as you go. Waiting for perfect often means never starting.

“A good plan today is better than a perfect one tomorrow.”

15. Optimist Razor (Philosophical razor)

Optimist razor principle states that when choosing people to be around, choose the optimistic ones. Choose the ones with a positive aura and with a growth mindset.

This principle can be applied when choosing a group you want to be in.

When applied practically:

You’re working on a group project. One teammate is hopeful, one is always negative.

Apply the razor: Stick with the hopeful one. Optimism gives energy. Negativity drains it.

“When choosing people to be around, choose the optimistic ones.”

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I am not done yet.

I’ll be back this upcoming Thursday with the other remaining razors you can apply in decision-making as part two. Till then, practice these razors I’ve given to you and get the most out of them.

Remember, the goal is to simplify. Try them and find out which razors work the best for you to simplify your decisions in life.

See you on Thursday, Have a nice ‘razor’ day.

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Sumit,
Curator of Simple Digest

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