Methods of Knowledge

A method is a set of techniques and operations used in practical or theoretical activity. The methods act as a form of mastering reality.

Methods of cognition on the basis of the ratio of the general and the private are divided into universal (universal), general scientific (general) and specific scientific methods. They are also classified in terms of the ratio of empirical or theoretical knowledge to methods of empirical research, methods common to empirical and theoretical research, and also - purely theoretical research.

It should be borne in mind that individual branches of scientific knowledge apply their specific, specifically scientific methods of studying phenomena and processes that are conditioned by the essence of the object under study. However, there are methods specific to a particular science, they are successfully applied in other fields of knowledge. For example, physical and chemical methods of research are used by biology, since objects of studying biology include both physical and chemical forms of existence and motion of matter.

Universal methods of cognition are divided into dialectical and metaphysical. They are called general philosophical.

The dialectical is reduced to the knowledge of reality in its integrity, development, and its inherent contradictions. The metaphysical is the opposite of the dialectical, he considers the phenomena, not taking into account their interrelations and the processes of change over time. Approximately from the middle of the XIX century the metaphysical method is supplanted by the dialectical method.

The general methods of cognition include synthesis, analysis, abstraction, generalization, induction, deduction, analogy, modeling, historical and logical methods.

Analysis is the decomposition of an object into components. Synthesis is the unification of the cognised elements into one whole. Generalization is a mental transition from the individual to the general. Abstraction (idealization) - the introduction of mental changes in the object of study in accordance with the objectives of the study. Induction is the derivation of general provisions from observations of particular facts. Deduction is an analytical reasoning from the general to the particular details. Analogy is a plausible and probable conclusion about the presence of similar features of two objects, phenomena by a certain feature. Simulation is the creation on the basis of an analogue model with all properties of the object under consideration. The historical method is the reproduction of facts from the history of the phenomenon under study in their versatility, taking into account details and randomness. The logical method is the reproduction of the history of the object of investigation by releasing it from all that is accidental and unimportant.

The methods of cognition of the empirical are divided into measurement, observation, description, experiment and comparison.

Observation is an organized and purposeful perception of the object of study. Experiment - differs from observation by a character that assumes constant activity of participants. Measurement is a process of material comparison of a certain value with a standard or a fixed unit of measurement. In science, the relativity of the properties of the object of study in relation to these means of investigation is taken into account.

The methods of cognition of the theoretical unite formalization, axiomatization, hypothetical-deductive method.

Formalization is the construction of abstract and mathematical models that are aimed at revealing the essence of the object under study. Axiomatization is the creation of theories on the basis of axioms. The hypothetical-deductive method consists of creating deductively connected hypotheses, from which one can deduce an empirical conclusion about the fact that is being studied.

The forms and methods of cognition are directly related. Under the forms of knowledge are understood scientific facts, hypotheses, principles, problems, ideas, theories, categories and laws.