Kemeny's Version of
the Scientific Method

Based on:
Kemeny, John G. (1959), A Philosopher Looks at Science (Princeton: D. van Nostrand).
[ Intro & Chs. 5, 10 in PDF]

Algorithm Scientific_Method {an infinite loop ("cycle")}

begin

while there is a new fact to observe, do:

{i.e., repeat until there are no new facts to observe,
 which will never happen, so we have permanent inquiry}

begin
1. observe facts;
   {express as "particular" statements:
   
   Pa → Qa,
   Pb → Qb,
   …
   Note: facts may be "theory-laden", i.e., based on assumptions}

2. induce general statements;
   {∀x[Px → Qx]}

3. deduce future observations; {prediction}
   {Pc /∴ Qc}

4. verify predictions against observations;
   {if Qc then general statment confirmed or consistent with theory
              else revise theory (or …)}

end