One way in which deduction enters into science in the process of making predictions from theories, or scientific hypotheses, which then test the hypotheses. How does this work in practice?

1. Consider the hypothesis H: An object will float on water if and only if its average mass density is less than the density of water. Which of the following statements follow from H?

1. All oak statues float.
2. This statue will float.
3. This statue is less dense than water.
4. This baseball bat will float if it is made of oak.
5. If this baseball bat floats, then it is less dense than water.
6. If this baseball bat will float, then it is less dense than water.

0. Now consider the auxiliary hypotheses: A: Any object made of oak is less dense than water. B: This statue is made of oak. Which of the statements in question 1 follow from the conjunction of H, A, and B?

 

1. Which of the statements listed in question 1 be deduced from H and A alone?

 

2. Can the truth of any of the statements in 1 may be discovered to be true or false just by ‘looking’? That is, is which of these consequences are observational statements? I’m assuming that "mass density" is not something we directly observe.

 

3. Is it ever possible to deduce false conclusions from true premises?

 

4. Is it be possible to deduce true conclusions from false premises?

 

5. If a deductive consequence of the conjunction of H, A, and B were false, what information would that provide about the truth of falsity of H, A, or B?

 

 

 

6. What, if anything, have your answers taught you about how the truth or falsity of a scientific hypothesis like H may be determined?