_Phenomenon as a consequent._ John is tardy. Determining to do away with the tardiness, the teacher brings about a variation in the antecedents, varying _one at a time_ taken in the order indicated above.
To wit: (1) Varying the first antecedent. John breakfasts at 6:30; Other antecedents the same; (_Phenomenon_) But John is tardy.
(2) Varying the second antecedent. The younger brother carries the dinner; Other antecedents the same; (_Phenomenon_) John is tardy.
(3) Varying the third antecedent. Another brother cares for the hens; Other antecedents the same;
The teacher is now quite certain that the tardiness is due to the route through the woods and around the pond.
Using, as symbols, the initial letters of the italicized “key-words” of the antecedents as stated above, the case of tardiness may be symbolized as follows:
seven s dinner d hens h woods w tardy t₁, t₂, t₃
_Antecedents_ _Phenomenon_ s d h w t₁ e d h w t₂ s b h w t₃ s d a w t₄
“w” standing for route through the woods, is seen to be the invariable antecedent.
(4) Concrete example illustrating the second statement.
_The Problem_: To determine the effect of direct primaries.
{ 1. Greater expense to candidate, Direct { 2. Greater interest shown, primary { 3. Better men nominated, { 4. “Bumper” crops.
{ 1. Greater expense to candidate, Direct { 2. Greater interest shown, primary { 3. Better men nominated, { 4. Crops below average.
{ 1. No greater expense, Direct { 2. Greater interest shown, primary { 3. Better men nominated, { 4. Crops average.
{ 1. No greater expense, Direct { 2. No greater interest, primary { 3. Better men nominated, { 4. Crops average.
It is seen that the invariable consequent is, “Better men nominated.” We may, therefore, conclude that this is a probable effect of “Direct primaries.”
(5) Distinguishing features of method of agreement. The essential characteristics of the method of agreement are three:
First, _The phenomenon always occurs_. Second, _There is at least one invariable antecedent_. Third, _The other antecedents vary_.
Giving attention to the attending symbolized illustrations it may be noted that “P,” the phenomenon, always happens; while in the case of the first symbolization, “D” is the invariable antecedent and “A, B, C, E, G, L, M, F, I” are the variable antecedents. “K” is the invariable antecedent of the second and “H, I, L, T, M, W, X, Y, Z, S” are the variable antecedents.