ГИПОТЕЗА

Hypothesis

An assumption based on a series of facts for inferring the existence of an object, or the relation or cause of phenomena, without actual proof. The corresponding judgement, conclusion or inference is called hypothetical. The need for Hypothesis arises in science when the connection between, or the cause of, phenomena is unclear, although many of the circumstances preceding or accompanying these phenomena are known; Hypothesis is also used when a picture of the past has to be restored from some characteristics of the present or a conclusion has to be drawn about the future development of a phenomenon on the strength of the past and present.

But the formulation of Hypothesis on the basis of definite facts is only the first step. Being no more than probable, Hypothesis calls for verification and proof. After verification, Hypothesis becomes a scientific theory; if the verification is negative, Hypothesis is either revised or rejected. The main rules governing the formulation and verification of Hypothesis are: 1. Hypothesis must agree or at least be compatible with all the pertinent facts. 2. Of many conflicting Hypotheses, formulated to explain a series of facts, the Hypothesis which explains a larger number is preferable. So-called working Hypotheses may be formulated to explain individual facts of the series. 3. The least possible number of Hypotheses should be formulated to explain a connected series of facts, and their connection should be as close as possible. 4. When formulating Hypothesis it should be borne in mind that Hypothesis is essentially no more than probable. 5. Hypotheses contradicting each other cannot both be true unless they explain different aspects and connections of one and the same object.

Modern positivists, empiricists, "all-inductivists", etc., believe that science should record and register the facts and should not formulate Hypotheses on the laws governing the objective world. They hold that Hypotheses play no more than a working role and are of no real significance. The nature of modern science, the fact that experiments have become more complex and intricate, compel researchers to engage in theoretical conjectures and broad Hypotheses. This confirms Engels' proposition that Hypothesis is the "form of development of natural science, in so far as it thinks". (Dialectics of Nature, p. 244.)

Гипотеза

Научное предположение, еще не доказанное фактами. Правильность или ложность какой-либо гипотезы проверяется посредством научного опыта. Если гипотеза подтверждается, она становится научным законом или научной теорией. В более широком смысле гипотеза означает предположение, догадку.