Socratic Logic - Induction

Scientific Hypothesis / Scientific Method

The following are the notes I have taken from Peter Kreeft's wonderful Socratic Logic textbook. I highly recommend you buy it. This is a book which deals with classical logic (as opposed to modern symbolic logic.) It is easily the best overall book on logic I have ever read and one of the few I have that are worth making notes from. I even have a small duotang with these notes in it I can carry around and reference on a regular basis.

Science is an extension of the principles of common sense.  The scientific method is probably the greatest discovery in the history of science.

Basic Steps of Scientific Method

A. There is a problem.

B. Decision made to solve the problem scientifically.

C. A preliminary hypothesis is made as a possible explanation.   It must be:

1. Relevant to the problem.

2. Simple.

3. Testable via data.

4. Compatible with existing knowledge.

5. Has the power to predict or explain future data.

D. Relevant data is then collected to test the hypothesis.

E. Based on D the hypothesis is refined.

F. Test the hypothesis by observation of predicted consequences.

G. The hypothesis is verified if successful in predicting the data and future tests.