Falsifiability Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of falsifiability?
A
A theory cannot be considered scientific unless it is possible for it to be proven/tested untrue (false).
2
Q
Karl Popper stated that…
A
it is not possible to ‘prove a theory to be true’ and that it is only possible to disprove it.
3
Q
What is the example that Popper gave?
A
That no matter how many instances of white swans we observe, this does not justify the conclusion that all swans are white.
4
Q
What is a null hypothesis?
A
This is a negative version of the original hypothesis. If there is no evidence in favour of the null hypothesis then we can accept the original hypothesis with reasonable certainty.
5
Q
What is a pseudoscience?
A
A science/theory which cannot be falsified.
