The Commens Dictionary

Quote from ‘Deduction, Induction, and Hypothesis’

Term: 
Hypothesis [as a form of reasoning]
Quote: 

Suppose I enter a room and there find a number of bags, containing different kinds of beans. On the table there is a handful of white beans; and, after some searching, I find one of the bags contains white beans only. I at once infer as a probability, or as a fair guess, that this handful was taken out of that bag. This sort of inference is called making an hypothesis. It is the inference of a case from a rule and a result. We have, then–

      DEDUCTION.

Rule.–All the beans from this bag are white.
Case.–These beans are from this bag.
.·.Result.–These beans are white.

      INDUCTION.

Case.–These beans are from this bag.
Result.–These beans are white.
.·.Rule.–All the beans from this bag are white

      HYPOTHESIS.

Rule.–All the beans from this bag are white.
Result.–These beans are white.
.·.Case.–These beans are from this bag.

Source: 
Peirce, Charles S. (1878). Deduction, Induction, and Hypothesis
Date: 
1878
References: 
CP 2.623
Citation: 
‘Hypothesis [as a form of reasoning]’ (pub. 30.01.13-20:25). Quote in M. Bergman & S. Paavola (Eds.), The Commens Dictionary: Peirce's Terms in His Own Words. New Edition. Retrieved from http://www.commens.org/dictionary/entry/quote-deduction-induction-and-hypothesis-6.
Posted: 
Jan 30, 2013, 20:25 by Sami Paavola
Last revised: 
Jan 07, 2014, 01:00 by Commens Admin