The Principles of Science

About this eBook

Author

Jevons, William Stanley, 1835-1882

Title

The principles of science : a treatise on logic and scientific method

Original Publication

London: Macmillan and Co., 1883.

Credits

Thiers Halliwell, Peter Becker and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Language

English

LoC Class

Q: Science

Subject

Logic

Category

Text

Project Gutenberg

eBook-No. 74864

Release Date

December 9, 2024

Copyright

Public domain in the USA.

Contents

1. 1.THE PRINCIPLES OF SCIENCE: A TREATISE ON LOGIC AND SCIENTIFIC METHOD.
2. 2.PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION .
3. 3.PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION .
4. 4.CONTENTS.
5. 5.CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. — The Powers of Mind concerned in the Creation of Science. — Laws of Identity and Difference. — The Nature of the Laws of Identity and Difference. — The Process of Inference. — Deduction and Induction. — Symbolic Expression of Logical Inference. — Expression of Identity and Difference. — General Formula of Logical Inference. — The Propagating Power of Similarity. — Anticipations of the Principle of Substitution. — The Logic of Relatives.
6. 6.CHAPTER II. TERMS. — Twofold Meaning of General Names. — Abstract Terms. — Substantial Terms. — Collective Terms. — Synthesis of Terms. — Symbolic Expression of the Law of Contradiction. — Certain Special Conditions of Logical Symbols.
7. 7.CHAPTER III. PROPOSITIONS. — Simple Identities. — Partial Identities. — Limited Identities. — Negative Propositions. — Conversion of Propositions. — Twofold Interpretation of Propositions.
8. 8.CHAPTER IV. DEDUCTIVE REASONING. — Immediate Inference. — Inference with Two Simple Identities. — Inference with a Simple and a Partial Identity. — Inference of a Partial from Two Partial Identities. — Ellipsis of Terms in Partial Identities. — Inference of a Simple from Two Partial Identities. — Inference of a Limited from Two Partial Identities. — Miscellaneous Forms of Deductive Inference. — Fallacies.
9. 9.CHAPTER V. DISJUNCTIVE PROPOSITIONS. — Expression of the Alternative Relation. — Nature of the Alternative Relation. — Laws of the Disjunctive Relation. — Symbolic expression of the Law of Duality. — Various Forms of the Disjunctive Proposition. — Inference by Disjunctive Propositions.
10. 10.CHAPTER VI. THE INDIRECT METHOD OF INFERENCE. — Simple Illustrations. — Employment of the Contrapositive Proposition. — Contrapositive of a Simple Identity. — Miscellaneous Examples of the Method. — Mr. Venn’s Problem. — Abbreviation of the Process. — The Logical Alphabet. — The Logical Slate. — Abstraction of Indifferent Circumstances. — Illustrations of the Indirect Method. — Second Example. — Third Example. — Fourth Example. — Fifth Example. — Fallacies analysed by the Indirect Method. — The Logical Abacus. — The Logical Machine. — The Order of Premises. — The Equivalence of Propositions . — The Nature of Inference.
11. 11.CHAPTER VII. INDUCTION. — Induction an Inverse Operation — Inductive Problems for Solution by the Reader. — Induction of Simple Identities . — Induction of Partial Identities . — Solution of the Inverse or Inductive Problem, involving Two Classes . — The Inverse Logical Problem involving Three Classes. — Professor Clifford on the Types of Compound Statement involving Four Classes. — Distinction between Perfect and Imperfect Induction. — Transition from Perfect to Imperfect Induction.
12. 12.CHAPTER VIII. PRINCIPLES OF NUMBER. — The Nature of Number. — Of Numerical Abstraction. — Concrete and Abstract Number. — Analogy of Logical and Numerical Terms. — Principle of Mathematical Inference. — Reasoning by Inequalities. — Arithmetical Reasoning. — Numerically Definite Reasoning. — Numerical meaning of Logical Conditions.
13. 13.CHAPTER IX. THE VARIETY OF NATURE, OR THE DOCTRINE OF COMBINATIONS AND PERMUTATIONS. — Distinction of Combinations and Permutations. — Calculation of Number of Combinations. — The Arithmetical Triangle. — Connection between the Arithmetical Triangle and the Logical Alphabet. — Possible Variety of Nature and Art. — Higher Orders of Variety.
14. 14.CHAPTER X. THE THEORY OF PROBABILITY. — Fundamental Principles of the Theory. — Rules for the Calculation of Probabilities. — The Logical Alphabet in questions of Probability. — Comparison of the Theory with Experience. — Probable Deductive Arguments . — Difficulties of the Theory.
15. 15.CHAPTER XI. PHILOSOPHY OF INDUCTIVE INFERENCE. — Various Classes of Inductive Truths. — The Relation of Cause and Effect. — Fallacious Use of the Term Cause. — Confusion of Two Questions. — Definition of the Term Cause. — Distinction of Inductive and Deductive Results. — The Grounds of Inductive Inference. — Illustrations of the Inductive Process. — Geometrical Reasoning. — Discrimination of Certainty and Probability.
16. 16.CHAPTER XII. THE INDUCTIVE OR INVERSE APPLICATION OF THE THEORY OF PROBABILITY. — Principle of the Inverse Method. — Simple Applications of the Inverse Method. — The Theory of Probability in Astronomy. — The General Inverse Problem. — Simple Illustration of the Inverse Problem. — General Solution of the Inverse Problem. — Rules of the Inverse Method. — Fortuitous Coincidences. — Summary of the Theory of Inductive Inference.
17. 17.Untitled
18. 18.CHAPTER XIII. THE EXACT MEASUREMENT OF PHENOMENA. — Division of the Subject. — Continuous Quantity. — The Fallacious Indications of the Senses. — Complexity of Quantitative Questions. — The Methods of Accurate Measurement. — Conditions of Accurate Measurement. — Measuring Instruments. — The Method of Repetition. — Measurements by Natural Coincidence. — Modes of Indirect Measurement. — Comparative Use of Measuring Instruments. — Systematic Performance of Measurements. — The Pendulum. — Attainable Accuracy of Measurement.
19. 19.CHAPTER XIV. UNITS AND STANDARDS OF MEASUREMENT. — Standard Unit of Time. — The Unit of Space and the Bar Standard. — The Terrestrial Standard. — The Pendulum Standard. — Unit of Density. — Unit of Mass. — Natural System of Standards. — Subsidiary Units. — Derived Units. — Provisional Units. — Theory of Dimensions. — Natural Constants. — Mathematical Constants. — Physical Constants. — Astronomical Constants. — Terrestrial Numbers. — Organic Numbers. — Social Numbers.
20. 20.CHAPTER XV. ANALYSIS OF QUANTITATIVE PHENOMENA. — Illustrations of the Complication of Effects. — Methods of Eliminating Error. — I. Method of Avoidance of Error. — 2. Differential Method. — 3. Method of Correction. — 4. Method of Compensation. — 5. Method of Reversal.
21. 21.CHAPTER XVI. THE METHOD OF MEANS. — Several uses of the Mean Result. — The Mean and the Average. — On the Average or Fictitious Mean. — The Precise Mean Result. — Determination of the Zero point. — Determination of Maximum Points.
22. 22.CHAPTER XVII. THE LAW OF ERROR. — Establishment of the Law of Error. — Herschel’s Geometrical Proof. — Laplace’s and Quetelet’s Proof of the Law. — Logical Origin of the Law of Error. — Verification of the Law of Error. — The Probable Mean Result. — The Probable Error of Results. — Rejection of the Mean Result. — Method of Least Squares. — Works upon the Theory of Probability. — Detection of Constant Errors.
23. 23.Untitled
24. 24.CHAPTER XVIII. OBSERVATION. — Distinction of Observation and Experiment. — Mental Conditions of Correct Observation. — Instrumental and Sensual Conditions of Observation. — External Conditions of Correct Observation. — Apparent Sequence of Events. — Negative Arguments from Non-observation.
25. 25.CHAPTER XIX. EXPERIMENT. — Exclusion of Indifferent Circumstances. — Simplification of Experiments. — Failure in the Simplification of Experiments. — Removal of Usual Conditions. — Interference of Unsuspected Conditions. — Blind or Test Experiments. — Negative Results of Experiment. — Limits of Experiment.
26. 26.CHAPTER XX. METHOD OF VARIATIONS. — The Variable and the Variant. — Measurement of the Variable. — Maintenance of Similar Conditions. — Collective Experiments. — Periodic Variations. — Combined Periodic Changes. — Principle of Forced Vibrations. — Integrated Variations.
27. 27.CHAPTER XXI. THEORY OF APPROXIMATION. — Substitution of Simple Hypotheses. — Approximation to Exact Laws. — Successive Approximations to Natural Conditions. — Discovery of Hypothetically Simple Laws. — Mathematical Principles of Approximation. — Approximate Independence of Small Effects. — Four Meanings of Equality. — Arithmetic of Approximate Quantities.
28. 28.CHAPTER XXII. QUANTITATIVE INDUCTION. — Probable Connection of Varying Quantities. — Empirical Mathematical Laws. — Discovery of Rational Formulæ. — The Graphical Method. — Interpolation and Extrapolation. — Illustrations of Empirical Quantitative Laws. — Simple Proportional Variation.
29. 29.CHAPTER XXIII. THE USE OF HYPOTHESIS. — Requisites of a good Hypothesis. — Possibility of Deductive Reasoning. — Consistency with the Laws of Nature. — Conformity with Facts. — Experimentum Crucis. — Descriptive Hypotheses.
30. 30.CHAPTER XXIV. EMPIRICAL KNOWLEDGE, EXPLANATION, AND PREDICTION. — Empirical Knowledge. — Accidental Discovery. — Empirical Observations subsequently Explained. — Overlooked Results of Theory. — Predicted Discoveries. — Predictions in the Science of Light. — Predictions from the Theory of Undulations. — Prediction in other Sciences. — Prediction by Inversion of Cause and Effect. — Facts known only by Theory.
31. 31.CHAPTER XXV. ACCORDANCE OF QUANTITATIVE THEORIES. — Empirical Measurements. — Quantities indicated by Theory, but Empirically Measured. — Explained Results of Measurement. — Quantities determined by Theory and verified by Measurement. — Quantities determined by Theory and not verified. — Discordance of Theory and Experiment. — Accordance of Measurements of Astronomical Distances. — Selection of the best Mode of Measurement. — Agreement of Distinct Modes of Measurement. — Residual Phenomena.
32. 32.CHAPTER XXVI. CHARACTER OF THE EXPERIMENTALIST. — Error of the Baconian Method. — Freedom of Theorising. — The Newtonian Method, the True Organum. — Candour and Courage of the Philosophic Mind. — The Philosophic Character of Faraday. — Reservation of Judgment.
33. 33.Untitled
34. 34.CHAPTER XXVII. GENERALISATION. — Distinction of Generalisation and Analogy. — Two Meanings of Generalisation. — Value of Generalisation. — Comparative Generality of Properties. — Uniform Properties of all Matter. — Variable Properties of Matter. — Extreme Instances of Properties. — The Detection of Continuity. — The Law of Continuity. — Failure of the Law of Continuity. — Negative Arguments on the Principle of Continuity. — Tendency to Hasty Generalisation.
35. 35.CHAPTER XXVIII. ANALOGY. — Analogy as a Guide in Discovery. — Analogy in the Mathematical Sciences. — Analogy in the Theory of Undulations. — Analogy in Astronomy. — Failures of Analogy.
36. 36.CHAPTER XXIX. EXCEPTIONAL PHENOMENA. — Imaginary or False Exceptions. — Apparent but Congruent Exceptions. — Singular Exceptions. — Divergent Exceptions. — Accidental Exceptions. — Novel and Unexplained Exceptions. — Limiting Exceptions. — Real Exceptions to Supposed Laws. — Unclassed Exceptions.
37. 37.CHAPTER XXX. CLASSIFICATION. — Classification Involving Induction. — Multiplicity of Modes of Classification. — Natural and Artificial Systems of Classification. — Correlation of Properties. — Classification in Crystallography. — Classification an Inverse and Tentative Operation. — Symbolic Statement of the Theory of Classification. — Bifurcate Classification. — The Five Predicables. — Summum Genus and Infima Species. — The Tree of Porphyry. — Does Abstraction imply Generalisation? — Discovery of Marks or Characteristics. — Diagnostic Systems of Classification. — Index Classifications. — Classification in the Biological Sciences. — Classification by Types. — Natural Genera and Species. — Unique or Exceptional Objects. — Limits of Classification.
38. 38.Untitled
39. 39.CHAPTER XXXI. REFLECTIONS ON THE RESULTS AND LIMITS OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD. — The Meaning of Natural Law. — Infiniteness of the Universe. — The Indeterminate Problem of Creation. — Hierarchy of Natural Laws. — The Ambiguous Expression, “Uniformity of Nature.” — Possible States of the Universe. — Speculations on the Reconcentration of Energy. — The Divergent Scope for New Discovery. — Infinite Incompleteness of the Mathematical Sciences. — The Reign of Law in Mental and Social Phenomena. — The Theory of Evolution. — Possibility of Divine Interference. — Conclusion.
40. 40.INDEX. — FOOTNOTES:

Community reviews

Sign in to write a review.

No reviews yet.