The Supremacy of Method in Problem Solving

Without method, we are left with chance. Chance is the opposite of method, and we would have a disorganized, chaotic world without methods and techniques. But what is “method”? Unfortunately, method is an ambiguous word. It has been widely misused and misinterpreted in the fields of science and knowledge, resulting in the biggest educational and intellectual blunder in history (see my book End the Biggest Educational and Intellectual Blunder in History).

To understand problem solving and method, it is important to keep this in your memory:

Method as used in the scientific method refers to a guide to the mental activity stages by which we originate, refine, extend, and apply knowledge. It is also the guide to problem origination, prevention, solution, and challenge of solution. Since it is just a guide, it is subject neutral and will not solve any problems by itself.

Method as used in problem-solving methods and scientific methods are really the techniques or the creative, non-logical, logical, and technical methods or techniques actually applied at the various stages of the scientific method to try to accomplish results. There are many standard ones often used and millions of miscellaneous ones. Thus, one is a guide, the other is an action method directly applied.

Philosophers Karl Popper (1902-1994) and Paul Feyerabend (1924-1994) have stated that there is no scientific method. It is true that what are often called scientific methods are really technical methods or techniques. However, it is not true that there is no guide to the mental activity stages of the scientific method. This guide or method has been proven to be the best of all guides or methods ever found for obtaining reliable knowledge and solving problems.

The advantages of method:

The opposite of method is chance.