A hypothesis is proved on the strength of its power of prediction

A hypothesis is proved on the strength of its power of prediction. It has been said that every scientific hypothesis should have the power of prediction.

These predictions are not mere guess works. The hypothesis accepts the possibility of certain future facts, which are considered as its predictability.

In that case one has to wait till the occurrence of the facts to be verified. An astronomer may propose a hypothesis regarding the appearance of a comet in future.

In order to verity it one has to wait till that period. Whewell considers that a hypothesis is often proved by its power of prediction.

In order to be verified the hypothesis should be simple. A simple hypothesis has the advantage of being proved easily and established easily.