ABSTRACT
Solving a problem and establishing a proof for that solution can proceed from one of two bases. On the one hand, one can move in a general inductive fashion by starting with particular observations that culminate in a hypothesis, and the hypothesis is verified by further observations. On the other hand, one may proceed deductively. In this case a working hypothesis or a set of hypotheses are first formulated and inferences drawn from these are tested observationally. When the deductive path is followed the proof involves issues of logical necessity. The inductive path involves levels of probability and hence degrees of experienced certainty, but not logical necessity (Overton 1990).
