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falsifiability

falsifiability

1 8.3
A statement or idea that evidence can show is false
  • noun
  • /ˌfɔːlsɪfaɪəˈbɪlɪti/
  • Formal
translation icon : falsabilidad
  • The principle of falsifiability states that for a theory to be scientific, it must be able to be proven false.
  • verifiability and falsifiability

And this begins, of course, with Karl Popper's demarcation problem and whether the criterion of falsifiability.

Examples

  • In this sense, Bohm's theory was charged with failing to satisfy Popper's (1969) falsifiability criterion for a legitimate scientific theory.

    Academic text (1993)
  • You can only get my scientific respect by the openness, clarity, and falsifiability of each specific piece of your scientific products.

    Blog text (23)
  • The scientists also investigated the falsifiability of the two notions of time.

    Blog text (31)
  • The fact is that, in the past, ideas of separate realms were not considered to be beyond demonstration and "falsifiability."

    Blog text (4)
  • OK, so this is the idea behind Popper's falsifiability criterion.

  • Therefore, he suggests, not the verifiability but the falsifiability of a system is to be taken as a criterion of demarcation.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Scientific skeptics attempt to evaluate claims based on verifiability and falsifiability and discourage accepting claims on faith or anecdotal evidence.

    Blog text (28)
  • J.B.S. Haldane is reported to have responded curtly to a question about evolution and falsifiability that "fossil rabbits in the Precambrian" would falsify evolution.

    Blog text (8)
  • In scientific research, falsifiability is crucial because a statement must be testable to be considered valid.

  • Philosophers often discuss falsifiability in relation to the scientific method and how hypotheses can be tested.

Synonyms

testability
vsfalsifiability
  • Specialized
1 6.3

How easy it is to check something like a theory or product

is narrower meaning it must be possible to show the claim false by evidence

Antonyms

verifiability
  • Specialized
1 7.6

Ability to check and show that something is true

How Testable

falsifiability
  • Formal
1 8.3
testability
  • Specialized
1 6.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

falsifiability = falsifiable (transparent) = false + ify + able + ity

The noun is transparently formed from the adjective 'falsifiable' by adding the standard abstract-noun suffix '-ity'.

Etymology

The word falsifiability comes from false 'not true' and the ending -ability 'can be done', so it literally means 'can be shown false'. So falsifiability is the quality of an idea or statement that lets tests or evidence prove it wrong.