Wrinch, Dorothy. On the Structure of Scientific Inquiry
1921, Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 21: 181–210
Added by: Viviane Fairbank
Abstract:
The object of this paper is the study, in some of its aspects, of the structure of scientific inquiry. The subject is a large one and covers the major part of the field of scientific methodology. We shall confine our attention more particularly to the consideration of those problems of scientific structure which occur in the case of more advanced sciences and merely outline the corresponding problems which occur primarily in sciences in the more elementary stage
The object of this paper is the study, in some of its aspects, of the structure of scientific inquiry. The subject is a large one and covers the major part of the field of scientific methodology. We shall confine our attention more particularly to the consideration of those problems of scientific structure which occur in the case of more advanced sciences and merely outline the corresponding problems which occur primarily in sciences in the more elementary stage
Comment: In this paper, Wrinch discuss the different kinds of reasoning principles—probabilistic, logical, etc.—which structure scientific inquiry. She focuses in particular on the importance of logical reasoning and logic's fundamental role as the basis of scientific theory-building. The paper would likely be best suited for any discussion or course focused on early-20th-century philosophy of science and logic. Note, however, that one of the examples Wrinch uses (of an old children's rhyme) includes a racial slur, and this should be taken into consideration if/when using this text in an educational context.