Hypothesis is a versatile phenomenon. Material for the report on logic

Hypothesis is a multifaceted concept. When determining it, it is important to take into account that in different spheres of thinking and activity its content is different. This is because any objective view from a particular activity or thinking on the object being determined (in this case, the object is the semantic field of the concept "hypothesis") is only a partial focus dictated by the content of the subject. A single definition, which would integrate a universal view from all the substantive aspects, is not and can not be.

At the same time, a completely routine and legitimate procedure in logic is the multiple characterization of an object consistently from different subject areas on the principle of complementarity. Only it allows us to define concepts based on multi-subject meaningful descriptions.

Hypothesis in the simplest sense

In ordinary language, the hypothesis is a thesis-assumption. He is put forward to explain certain phenomena, the understanding of which is not sufficient.

In a more general, but also ordinary understanding, the hypothesis is a presupposing proposition that must be confirmed or refuted.

Hypothesis in the most generalized sense

According to the Encyclopedic Dictionary, the hypothesis is a statement-assumption about the regularity and causality connecting all phenomena. In a narrower sense, the hypothesis is called the developing factor of science.

Hypothesis in psychology

From the point of view of psychology, the hypothesis is a cognitive tool that is constructed by the psyche, if necessary, to orient activity, and for this purpose to presume and to differentiate its various properties in the surrounding world. The subjective picture of the world, which varies in each individual, determines these assumptions and differences.

If an individual does not have a ready-made solution to the problem, he forms at first one or several of the most general hypotheses. Their verification makes it possible to stimulate search activity, enriching activity and thinking with new assumptions directed more precisely.

It is noteworthy that general hypotheses do not necessarily lie in the field of theory and are not necessarily its concepts. To put forward hypotheses and determine their nature, the subject can in intuitive action, in which the logical bases of the assumptions themselves are not subjected to reflexive research.

This possibility, in particular, is based on the well-known technology of "brainstorming" - a group problem solving, in which the participants of the process put forward instantaneous hypotheses without their preliminary comprehension. And only the subsequent analysis of the whole array of proposed assumptions gives the material for solving the problem.

The Hypothesis in Logic

A hypothesis in logic is a preliminary, conditional explanation directed at a certain group of phenomena or a separate phenomenon. This is a tentative judgment about the presence or absence of a phenomenon.

It can be addressed to the future and the past of the object, its connections and properties, the reasons for its appearance.

The basis for the hypothesis is the quite definite knowledge of the phenomena that are being studied. Proposed in support of this knowledge, the hypothesis imitates a guiding principle that directs and corrects the continuation of experiments and observations.

The very phenomenon of scientific knowledge contains a hypothesis as a necessary link.

The hypothesis is neither true nor false. It is a knowledge of an alleged, probabilistic nature that has not received logical proof. It can not be considered reliable, because it is not confirmed by experience, unless it is a false hypothesis (see below).

The hypothesis is uncertain, its place is not a lie and not a truth, but somewhere in between.

If the hypothesis can be confirmed, it becomes true and at the same time loses the status of itself.

If the hypothesis is refuted, then it even loses its status, but it acquires the significance of a false assertion.

Hypothesis in the science of science

A scientific hypothesis is a research tool that enables one to put forward, confirm or refute the clearly defined problems of the science itself. It is necessary to explain the new factual data and, after careful study of them, to eliminate possible contradictions between them.

Thus, with the help of hypotheses, the contradiction between theory and negative experimental results is resolved.

Types of hypotheses

The assumptions underlying the scientific hypotheses differ in the degree of their generalization.

In accordance with the assumptions, the scientific hypotheses themselves differ in the degree of generalization.

They are:

• Common;
• Private;
• Single.

The general hypothesis is the assumptions about how nature and society are organized, and also on what laws the mental activity of people is taking place.

These assumptions must be scientifically justified.

General hypotheses in their nomination require a number of conditions to be met in order to correspond to their logical status. They have to:

• Explain the whole class of phenomena described;
• To derive the regular nature of the objects described in their interrelations for any time and for any place.

A particular hypothesis is the assumptions about how objects constructed as part of more general classes of natural phenomena, thought and activity phenomena or facts of society's life are arranged.

As well as for the general hypothesis, private assumptions must be scientifically substantiated.

A single hypothesis is an assumption about the organization of a particular fact, a particular event or phenomenon.

Working hypothesis

Proving a single, particular or general hypothesis, the speaker has the right to construct a number of auxiliary assumptions that are not an investigation of causal or other regularities of the object. Such hypotheses are called workers and allow multiple denials, frequent shifts, until their complete restructuring or even rejection of them.

A false hypothesis , which is a special case of a working hypothesis, is put forward only as an assumption, without the obligatory intention to refute or confirm it.

The author of the false hypothesis does not know and does not try to find out whether it is true or false. Since the moment of nomination, he has faithfully believed in its truth.

This hypothesis was called the main error. Contrary to popular belief, it can be quite useful. As far as its refutations are concerned, it helps build new working hypotheses.