falsifiability rule, definition of

Falsifiability Rule

Science today recognizes that there is no way to prove the absolute truth of any hypothesis or model, since it is always possible that a different explanation might account for the same observation. In this sense, even the most well established physical laws are "conditional." Hence, with scientific methodology it is never possible to prove conclusively that a hypothesis is true, it is only possible to prove that it is false. (IPCC)

This definition is correct in that Falsifiability of a hypothesis disproves the hypothesis, but in order for a hypothesis to show a given cause and effect relation you still need explain the explicit relationship underpinning the hypothesis by proof; otherwise you leave yourself open to defining a hypothesis or model on the basis of co-incidence or misplace cause and effect (roosters crow every morning at Sun rise, therefore roosters cause the Sun to rise?...). Worse, you also leave falsifying the hypothesis to others to perform, which given they might not have an interest or wish to falsify your hypothesis; leads to essentially unproven conclusions and observations - a weak ground upon which to build further solid science.

See Postmodern Science

Related Tags: climate change, global warming, environment, science

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