CHAPTER XVIII. Hypotheses

HYPOTHESES

§1. Hypothesis defined and distinguished from Theory 266 §2. An Hypothesis must be verifiable 268 §3. Proof of Hypotheses 270 (1) Must an hypothetical agent be directly observable? (p. 270); Vera causa (p. 271) (2) An Hypothesis must be adequate to its pretensions (p. 272); Exceptio probat regulam (p. 274) (3) Every competing Hypothesis must be excluded (p. 275); Crucial instance (p. 277) (4) Hypotheses must agree with the laws of Nature (p. 279) §4. Hypotheses necessary in scientific investigation 280 §5. The Method of Abstractions 283 Method of Limits (p. 284); In what sense all knowledge is hypothetical (p. 286)