Abstract

This paper outlines a logic of scientific discovery. First, it argues that discovery rules must be general and able to guide the search for novel hypotheses. Then, it criticizes Zahars´deductivist logic of discovery, but accepts his idea of general heuristics principles. It shows that these principles are compatible with a complex version of retroduction. An historical case –the discovery of neutrino- is examined applying this approach. Finally, it concludes that this logic of discovery culminates in a restricted and directed method of trial and error