IV. Statistical Induction
V. All others
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Inductive Arguments rely upon the principle of
induction or the assumption of the Uniformity of Nature.
a,b,c,d have property P and Q x has a,b,c,d
a,b,c, have property R y has
a,b,c
_____________________________ _______________
.. d will have property R .. y will have d
SCIENCE
Scientific Method may be considered as the critique of
argument in light of evidence according to the cannons of Logic . Thus it
is a paradigm of critical thinking.
Problem
Doubt
Inquiry---1. Abduction- Hypothesis Formation
(working hypothesis)
2. Deduction-Consequences of hypothesis
(observation statements)
3. Induction-Testing-gathering eveidence-continuous
process
continues until falsifying instances are found.
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The greater the effort to test and to falsify the
greater the probability that the hypothesis is true in the absence of
counter evidence or falsifying instances.
Evaluation of Hypotheses
Criteria Other Criteria
1. Relevance Psychological
2. Testability Reliigious
3. Compatability Aesthetic
4. Predictive-explanatory power Economic
5. Simplicity
Logic of Falsification Verification
H > O VALID H > O INVALID
-O modus tollens O fallacy
----------- --------------- affirming antecedent
.. - H .. H
Crucial Experiment Auxillary Hypotheses
H v H H & A & A & A.... > O
H > O - O
H > O ------------------------
O v O .. -(H & A & A & A...)
- O ------------------------
------------------ .. -H v -A v -A v -A v ...
..- H
------------------
.. H
