Hypothetical-Deductive Method: Problems and Knowledge

Problems of the Hypothetical-Deductive Method

Hypothesis Formulation

It seems reasonable to assert that in the formulation of hypotheses, some factors come into play that may seem unscientific or completely removed from scientific procedure. For example, imagination, luck, or chance. The inability to respond to this explanatory gap has caused some thinkers, such as Paul Feyerabend, to extend the influence of imagination to the entire scientific procedure.

Hypothesis Validation and Confirmation

Although the formulation of hypotheses assumes a certain amount of imagination and luck, to accept the suggested explanation, the hypotheses have to be checked with the highest scientific rigor. To solve this problem, Karl Popper proposed falsification as a response to this question and as an alternative to hypothesis verification. According to Popper, a hypothesis is never verified, since verifying a hypothesis means demonstrating that it is true.

The Possibility of Knowledge

• Dogmatism

  This is the philosophical position that defends that we can acquire objective and universal knowledge and be absolutely certain about its truth. In addition, it defends the possibility of progressively and continuously expanding our knowledge.

• Skepticism

  This is a position opposed to dogmatism. While moderate skepticism doubts the possibility of firm and sure knowledge, radical skepticism denies the possibility of all kinds of knowledge.

• Criticism

  This is a middle point of view between dogmatism and skepticism. According to critical philosophers like Kant or Popper, knowledge is possible. However, there is no unquestionable and definitive knowledge (as dogmatism defends).

• Relativism

  This is the position that denies the existence of an absolute truth, that is, a truth that is valid at any time and in any place. For this reason, it rejects the claim of objective and universal knowledge and considers that there are only valid opinions in specific contexts.

• Perspectivism

  Although it has much in common with relativism, there is a crucial difference between them: perspectivism does not deny the theoretical possibility of an absolute truth. According to perspectivism, each individual or group knows from a point of view or from a particular perspective.