Genre:

Review

Publications reviewed:

Fowler 1870

Subjects:

Induction, Deduction, Methodology, Truth, Natural Law, Nomenclature, Hypothesis, Truth, Design, Creation

People mentioned:

William Whewell , John S Mill , Galileo Galilei , David Hume

    Opposes Thomas Fowler's insistence on an entirely inductive standard of proof, and avers 'In reality there is but one way of demonstrating truth. A proposition can only be proved by showing that it necessarily results from certain other propositions, resting either on intuitive or sensible evidence' (260). Concludes by questioning why the hypothesis of design by an intelligent creator is 'illegitimate [...] in scientific research, if it be so difficult to exclude it? If we have to inquire how the structure of an organ is adapted to its function, will not this hypothesis serve as a guide? And, in like manner, it will surely not be useless when we seek to know how organisation in general is adapted to the preservation of the individual and the continuation of the species' (261).