What philosophical approach is supported by Ockham's Razor?

The philosophical approach supported by Ockham's Razor is nominalism. Ockham's Razor is a problem-solving principle that suggests the simplest explanation, or the one that makes the fewest assumptions, is usually the correct one. This principle aligns closely with nominalism, which asserts that universals or abstract concepts do not have an independent reality and instead exist only as names or terms used to refer to specific objects.

Nominalism emphasizes simplicity and practicality in understanding concepts, which is exactly what Ockham's Razor advocates. By favoring the simplest theory that requires fewer assumptions, nominalism avoids the complexity of asserting that abstract entities or universals exist independently. In contrast to realism, which posits that universals have real existence, nominalism stays true to the directive of Ockham's Razor by not positing unnecessary entities. This preference for simplicity and economy in explanation is why nominalism is closely aligned with Ockham's Razor, making it the correct choice.