10. THE USES OF HYPOTHESES.
The hypothesis is serviceable mainly in these particulars:
(1) As a working basis.
When one is confronted with a huge mass of facts it becomes necessary to start somewhere, and with as little waste of time and energy as possible. Almost anything is better than a haphazard floundering which reaches“nowhere.” So the investigator hazards a tentative theory, which he at once proceeds to verify. If verification fails, then he may discard this first hypothesis for a better one.
(2) As a guide to ultimate truth.
Much might be said relative to the use of rejected hypotheses. By means of these, science has advanced step by step towards the full light of perfect knowledge. As has been remarked, no true scientist cares to overlook the opportunity for suggestive inspiration which some forsaken hypothesis may afford him. Just as the individual attains the best success by using his failures as stepping stones, so the true scientific discoverer climbs up to the light on the stairway of discarded hypotheses. By testing and rejecting the false hypotheses, the situation becomes more definite and the problem more accurately defined. “Kepler himself tried no less than nineteen different hypotheses before he hit upon the right one, and his ultimate success was doubtless in no slight degree due to his unsuccessful efforts.”
(3) As a discoverer of immediate truth.
Often, moreover, the hypothesis leads directly to positive verification. The supposition advanced may hit the truth squarely; and may be of such peculiar nature as to lead easily to clear and conclusive proof.
(4) As affording a probable explanation of a problem which will not lend itself to an entirely satisfactory solution.
The theory of evolution may illustrate this fourth use; while the history of the discovery of Neptune illustrates the third.