As a result, scientists acquire, at a derisory cost—i.e., by recognizing the possibility of breaking new ground or bringing about new arrangements—, a huge benefit, namely that of managing to critically examine their activities, along with their respective methods and materials, thereby getting better means to engage in their research and developmental activities, as well as to perform them with a view to achieving something as achievable as innovative results.

The Fourth Sort of Inference

"The scientiŽc process encompasses observation, experimentation and reasoning, the latter being the primary function in the scientiŽc process. In claiming to be scientiŽc, reasoning should justify itself by following the rules of logic and methodology. But here arise formidable difŽculties. Often, reasoning is considered sound if, and only if, it strictly follows the rules of deductive logic, while infringements of these rules are considered logical fallacies. Yet in natural science and in technology, the rules of deductive logic have at crucial points to be transgressed, in order to make progress. Then inductive, abductive or innoductive inferences have to be made, all be it under the guidance of methodology" (Eekles)