Falsifiable

Falsifiability or refutability is the capacity for a statement, theory or hypothesis to be contradicted by evidence. The concept is central to the philosophy of science, and was developed by the philosopher Karl Popper.

Definition

Falsifiability is the logical possibility that an assertion could be shown false by a particular observation or physical experiment. That something is "falsifiable" does not mean it is false; rather, it means that if the statement were false, then its falsehood could be demonstrated.

Importance in Science

In the methodology of science, falsifiability is a crucial test for determining whether a claim has the status of scientific hypothesis. Only falsifiable claims can be subjected to empirical testing and potentially shown to be false. This is what distinguishes scientific knowledge from other types of knowledge.

Criticisms

Some philosophers and scientists, most notably the physicist Thomas Kuhn, have criticized the emphasis on falsifiability as a criterion for science, arguing that science is more complex and that such a simplistic criterion fails to capture the richness and subtlety of the scientific enterprise.

See Also

• Scientific Method
• Empiricism
• Philosophy of Science

References

Falsifiable Resources
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