  This paper introduces pragmatic hypotheses and relates this concept to the
spiral of scientific evolution. Previous works determined a characterization of
logically consistent statistical hypothesis tests and showed that the modal
operators obtained from this test can be represented in the hexagon of
oppositions. However, despite the importance of precise hypothesis in science,
they cannot be accepted by logically consistent tests. Here, we show that this
dilemma can be overcome by the use of pragmatic versions of precise hypotheses.
These pragmatic versions allow a level of imprecision in the hypothesis that is
small relative to other experimental conditions. The introduction of pragmatic
hypotheses allows the evolution of scientific theories based on statistical
hypothesis testing to be interpreted using the narratological structure of
hexagonal spirals, as defined by Pierre Gallais.
