Final answer:
The Law of Parsimony, or Occam's Razor, is a principle in biology that states the simplest explanation is usually correct. In constructing phylogenetic relationships, maximum parsimony is used to determine the most straightforward events. This principle can also be applied to predict the behavior of individuals in certain situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Law of Parsimony, also known as Occam's Razor, is a principle used in biology to determine the most likely explanation for a given phenomenon. It states that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one. In the context of constructing phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships between organisms, maximum parsimony is used, which means that events occurred in the simplest, most straightforward way. For example, when predicting the behavior of a group of hikers in a forest preserve, the principle of maximum parsimony suggests that most people would hike on established trails rather than forge new ones.