PRINCIPLE OF FALSIFICATION
A theory or proposition has no merit it it cannot be tested and falsified.
This principle was first suggested by scientist and philosopher Karl Popper as a way of distinguishing between science and non-science (what I would call non-sense). Popper suggested that a theory or proposition was not scientific and therefore had no merit if it could not be tested. Anything that cannot be proven false is according to Popper - pseudo-science.
The statement that all swans are white, has merit because it can be falsified, simply by citing a black swan. The statement - 'invisible trolls that cannot be detected by humans live inside trees' has no merit because it cannot be tested.
I like this principle because it highlights the importance of testing. It helps to highlight the fact that opinions without evidence or that cannot be tested are worthless.
D. John Carlson - +61 (0) 402 273 350
johnc@lincintegrated.com
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