Hanlon's Razor

Comments repeatedly quoting and applying Hanlon's Razor to argue that events or behaviors are better explained by stupidity or incompetence than by malice, with some critiques and extensions of the adage.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Politics & Society
1,804
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#1967
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
3
2008
10
2009
15
2010
23
2011
41
2012
40
2013
76
2014
52
2015
47
2016
83
2017
100
2018
146
2019
124
2020
162
2021
185
2022
163
2023
203
2024
131
2025
192
2026
8

Keywords

en.m wikipedia.org GP adequately explained malice adequately explained malice adequately malice attribute malice explained stupidity attribute malice adequately hanlon razor hanlon adequately explained stupidity

Sample Comments

gnicholas Nov 10, 2018 View on HN

Definitely a possibility! Hanlon's razor at its finest: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

chaz Mar 11, 2013 View on HN

Hanlon's Razor applies here: "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

jwdunne Mar 19, 2017 View on HN

Perhaps Hanlon's razor too: never attribute to malice what can be attributed to incompetence.

contingencies Sep 25, 2016 View on HN

The more general form is known as Hanlon's razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon's_razor

kryten Jun 19, 2013 View on HN

Applying Hanlon's razor:Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

forkerenok Oct 9, 2020 View on HN

Hanlon's razor may apply here: "never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity"albeit in a different form.

tghw Aug 31, 2013 View on HN

Seems like a clear case for Hanlon's Razor:Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity

Lockal Mar 9, 2024 View on HN

Never attribute to stupidity that which could be explained by malice (especially if the malicious actor uses Hanlon's razor in defense).

iainmerrick Aug 18, 2022 View on HN

I suggest Hanlon's Razor applies here: "never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

low_tech_love Jan 31, 2025 View on HN

“Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.“https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor