Regressive Analysis ∗

The regressive analytical method which can be generally understood as the way backward occurs in science on different levels. In scientific practice it represent research, i. e., activities of scientists when looking for the conditions necessary to solve given problems. On the methodological level it stands for ordering a given set of statements, and, finally, on the foundational level it gives a justification for the starting points of deductions. In the first section the paper gives a historical survey of regressive analysis concentrating on three paradigmatic examples: (1) Pappus’s definition of analysis and synthesis, (2) the definition of method that can be found in the so-called “Logic of Port Royal”, and (3) David Hilbert’s definition of the axiomatic method as a procedure for setting up axiomatic systems. In the second section the scepticism of traditional philosophy of science concerning the regressive method is reflected. The reason for this scepticism might be that regressive analysis is not completely logically determined, but has elements of contingency, creativity and intuition. Die regressive Methode, die allgemein als rückschreitendes Verfahren charakterisiert werden kann, kommt in den Wissenschaften auf verschiedenen Ebenen vor. In der wissenschaftlichen Praxis repräsentiert sie die Forschung, also die Aktivitäten von Wissenschaftlern bei der Suche nach den Bedingungen, die notwendig erfüllt sein müssen, damit ein gegebenes Problem gelöst werden kann. Auf der methodologischen Ebene steht sie für das Ordnen einer gegebenen Menge von Sätzen und auf der Ebene der Grundlagen schließlich gibt sie die Rechtfertigung ∗A first version of this paper was presented on June 5, 2000, at the 2000 Bled Conference in Philosophy on Philosophical Analysis, and on August 14, 2000, at the Department of Philosophy of the University of La Plata, Argentina. An earlier version of this paper was published in a Spanish translation (Peckhaus 2000 ).