Otto’s razor

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'’Tis not malice, spite, nor virtue
Whose ledger swells, or plucks, the seedy fruits of progress —
But mainly accident.
Lest thy with surety know —
Withhold thy assignations.

—Büchstein, Die Schweizer Heulsuse

A rule of thumb, attributed to 19th century Austrian plowright Büchstein, that recommends when there are plausible alternative explanations for a given piece of behaviour, one should choose the most simple-minded, preferring inadvertence or cloth-headedness in particular over the inspired, learned or malicious.

Until the contrary is proven, treat the pinnacles of cultural achievement, the chasms of mortal calumny, the enduring monuments to human endeavour, triumph, the lasting stains of hubris or wickedness to have come about by accident and not design.

See also

• Occam’s razor
• Büchstein