mastery of nature and its subordination to the man, according to Francis Bacon (English philosopher) could be successful only in case of a radical change in the scientific research methods.The philosopher believed that in antiquity and the Middle Ages science applies only deductive method.With the deduction of the movement of thought is carried out by the axioms (obvious provisions) to the conclusion of a private nature.Bacon believed this method is not enough effective and unsuitable for the study of nature.
Any invention, and all knowledge, according to the philosopher, should be based on experience.In other words, the movement should be from individual, private study findings to the general provisions.This method of study is called "inductive method of knowledge."Induction ("guidance") was first described by Aristotle, ancient philosopher but did not attach to this concept as a universal value.
inductive method (the simplest case) can be seen in a situation of complete induction.At the same time it carried out a listing of all objects of a class and identify the properties inherent in all of them.It should be noted, however, that the scientific approach complete induction does not play such a significant role.More often used "incomplete guidance."In this case, the inductive method is based on the surveillance of a finite number of facts, thereby (relatively class studied phenomena) and to generalize output.A classic example can be concluded that all swans white.This conclusion is true.But until such time until you reach the black swan.
Thus, incomplete induction study is based on the conclusion by analogy that, in turn, always has the character of probability.Bacon also tried to create a "true guidance."English philosopher tried to give an incomplete induction greater rigor, considering that should look not only confirm, but refute the facts of a particular conclusion.
Thus, according to Bacon, in the natural sciences should be applied two tools: listing and exclusion, giving the latter the principal value.In studying the phenomenon it is necessary to collect all the cases in which it was observed that there was no.When identifying any sign, is always accompanied by the phenomenon, and always absent in the absence of the phenomenon, it is possible to designate the nature of the phenomenon, its "form."So, inductive method of Bacon has allowed to define the "form" of heat, which is a movement of the smallest particles in the body.
It should be noted the importance of the work of the English philosopher.The inductive method, among others, played an important role in the discovery of a number of laws of nature (thermal expansion of the body, air pressure, gravity, etc.).
At the same time, according to several authors, the English philosopher somewhat underestimated the role of rationality in the study did not consider in the study of mathematics.
In the scientific study of the inductive method can be realized in several versions.
Thus, research can go the way of identifying only similarities or differences.In the first case the cause of the phenomenon will be the one showing up a common factor in all the other different.The method allows for a different conclusion on the basis of circumstances in which all the factors of the phenomenon and the absence of virtually all gatherings, the difference is only one of them is present in the first case (in case of the phenomenon).
There is also a combined (connected) way to study (combining the above two options).
scientific induction can be realized as a method of residues and associated changes.
