Falsifiability

Created: 2021-08-20
Forest status: #soil
Last Edited: @2022-12-30
URL: https://mentalpivot.com/book-notes-philosophy-the-basics-by-nigel-warburton/
Topics: truth science

Summary

Falsification::: Posits that a theory is not scientific if there is no possible observation that can falsify it. #flashcards/science #anki

Content

▪ Untestable hypothesis may still have value, but they prevent science from progressing.
▪ “If there is no possibility of refuting them, then there is no way of replacing them with a better theory.”
◦ Note that this view is still subject to human biases and error.
• Thomas Kuhn (1922-95) and the concept of new paradigms as a different framework for understanding scientific progress.
◦ New paradigms involve whole new sets of assumptions which yield new interpretations based on evidence and new problems that can be solved.
◦ In this view, science does not progress by individual series of conjecture/refutation cycles but via larger paradigm shifts.

What is Falsifiability?

Falsifiability is a philosophical concept developed by philosopher Karl Popper which states that for a theory to be scientific, it must be possible to make observations which could potentially disprove the theory. If there is no possibility of refuting the theory, then it cannot be used as a basis for scientific progress or replaced with a better theory. This view is still subject to human biases and error. Thomas Kuhn's concept of new paradigms furthers the idea that science progresses not by individual series of conjecture/refutation cycles but rather via larger paradigm shifts which involve whole new sets of assumptions and new interpretations based on evidence.