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Falsifiable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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falsifiable

[fɔːlˈsɪf.ə.bəl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

scientific theory

Falsifiable refers to a statement, hypothesis, or theory that can be proven false through observation or experiment. It is a crucial concept in the philosophy of science, as it distinguishes scientific statements from those that are not scientific. A falsifiable claim must be testable and capable of being refuted by evidence.

Synonyms

disprovable, refutable, testable.

Examples of usage

  • The hypothesis is falsifiable because it can be tested with experiments.
  • In science, a theory must be falsifiable to hold validity.
  • Falsifiable claims allow for systematic investigation and verification.
  • Unfalsifiable claims cannot be tested and remain speculative.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • Philosopher Karl Popper proposed falsifiability as a criterion to determine if a theory is scientific.
  • According to Popper, if a theory cannot be tested to show it is false, it is not genuinely scientific.
  • This concept revolutionized how scientists think about hypotheses and the scientific method.

Science

  • In scientific research, a hypothesis must be falsifiable to be considered valid.
  • If experiments can be conducted that might show the hypothesis to be false, it supports rigorous testing.
  • For example, since you can test if gravity always pulls down, it's a falsifiable statement.

Psychology

  • The concept of falsifiability helps prevent confirmation bias, where people only look for evidence that supports their beliefs.
  • Understanding what can be proven false allows psychologists to design better experiments and studies.
  • In therapy, therapists encourage clients to examine thoughts that can be challenged or disproven.

Cultural Impact

  • In the realm of conspiracies, many claims are criticized for being unfalsifiable, leading to debates about their validity.
  • Falsifiability has influenced various fields, from economics to sociology, altering how theories are constructed.
  • The idea has permeated popular science literature, promoting critical thinking and skepticism in everyday life.

Origin of 'falsifiable'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'falsificare', meaning to make false or to deceive.
  • It was first used in the philosophy of science to differentiate between testable and untestable claims.
  • In English, it started appearing in academic texts around the 20th century.

The term 'falsifiable' was popularized by philosopher Karl Popper in the mid-20th century as part of his philosophy of science. He argued that for a theory to be considered scientific, it must be possible to conceive of an observation or an experiment that would prove it false. This concept contrasts with verificationism, which emphasizes the verifiability of scientific statements. 'Falsifiable' is derived from 'falsify', which comes from the Latin root 'falsus', meaning 'false'. The prefix 'fals-' relates to the idea of dishonesty or deceit, thus, in the scientific context, falsifiability reflects the commitment to rigorous standards of evidence. This principle has played a significant role in shaping modern scientific inquiry and the development of the scientific method, emphasizing that a good scientific theory not only explains facts but also predicts observations that can contradict it.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,499, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.