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 subjective view from a particular activity or thinking on a determined object (in this case an 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, quite routine and legitimateprocedure in logic - the multiple characteristic of an object consistently from different subject spheres on the principle of complementarity. Only it makes it possible 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
In accordance with the Encyclopedic Dictionary,a 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 iscognitive tool, which is built by the psyche, if necessary, to orient activity, and for this purpose to presume and distinguish in the surrounding world its various properties. The subjective picture of the world, which varies in each individual, causes these assumptions and differences.
If an individual does not have a ready solution to the problem, heforms 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 are not necessarylie in the field of theory and do not necessarily represent its concepts. To put forward hypotheses and determine their nature, the subject can in intuitive action, in which the logical foundations of the assumptions themselves are not subjected to reflexive research.
On this basis, in particular, thea 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 quitea certain knowledge of the phenomena that are being studied. Put forward in reliance on 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
The scientific hypothesis is a researcha tool that gives the opportunity to put forward, confirm or refute the language of the science itself clearly defined its problems. This 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:
The general hypothesis - these are assumptions about how nature and society are organized, and also on what laws the mental activity of people is taking place.
These assumptions should 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:
A particular hypothesis Are 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 should be scientifically substantiated.
Single hypothesis - this is the assumption of the device of a particular fact, a specific event or phenomenon.
Working hypothesis
Proving a single, partial or general hypothesis,the speaker has the right to construct a number of auxiliary assumptions that are not an investigation of the causal or other regularities of the object. Such hypotheses are called workers and allow multiple denial, frequent shifts, until their complete restructuring or even rejection of them.
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.
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